DARLINGTON — A semi tractor-trailer that snagged a low-hanging phone line caused a community-wide power, phone and internet outage in Darlington earlier this week, according to the Darlington Police Department.

The accident happened in the 100 block of East River Street at about 9:45 a.m. Monday, July 22. The driver of the semi was Max H. Denman, 22, Salem.

The snagged line caused two utility poles to break and a third pole to lean and become stressed. Alliant Energy and CenturyLink responded to the scene, and Alliant Energy restored power a short time later. 

But phone and internet services remained out until the next day. They were restored at about 3:45 a.m. Tuesday, July 23, when crews were able to complete repairs to the fiber-optic cable damaged in the accident. 

East River Street was closed nearly 24 hours.