Driver distracted by bee crashes car, knocking out power

An auto accident on Brookside Camp Road in Hendersonville knocked out power to 1,170 people Sunday evening.

The accident happened around 4 p.m., when a pickup truck struck a power pole, said Sgt. Max Watkins with the N.C. Highway Patrol.

Jeffery Ward, 16, of Candler, was driving a 2001 Chevy S-10 when he got distracted by a bee and crossed the center line, hitting the utility pole, Watkins said.

“There were no injuries, but he (Ward) remained in the vehicle until Duke Power linemen gave the OK for him to get out due to the downed power lines on the road,” he said.

Ward was charged with driving left of center, Watkins said.

Hendersonville residents who were without power were expected to get the lights back on around midnight, said Bill Kingry, a spokesman with Duke Energy.

“Hopefully we can get the power on around midnight or 1 a.m., although we may be able to get it back on sooner, but that’s an estimate so it could always go later, too,” he said.