‘We’re stuck;’ Downed power lines cause hours-long closure on busy interstate

MONROE — Interstate 75 through Butler and Warren counties was closed for more than four hours Tuesday.

Around 6:30 p.m., severe weather knocked live power lines down across I-75 in Monroe, according to a Lebanon Post Ohio State Highway Patrol dispatcher.

The interstate was blocked from SR-63 in Monroe and Lebanon to SR-129 in Liberty Township, according to a previous News Center 7 report.

A preliminary investigation conducted by the Ohio State Highway Patrol found that a utility pole with numerous powerlines on the east side of I-75 fell due to high winds and rain, OSHP Sergeant Tyler Ross said.

According to Butler County Sheriff’s Office Detective Janee Lambert, a deputy was injured and transported to the hospital during this incident. News Center 7 is working to learn more about their injuries.

When the poles snapped and the wires fell, more than 700 people were left without power, according to Duke Energy’s outage map.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: TRAFFIC ALERT: I-75 in Butler, Warren counties reopens after hours-long closure

Duke Energy and Spectrum responded to the scene to clear the powerlines, Ross said.

The wires not only closed the highway, but they also fell onto cars parked in the lot of a local auto dealership.

A Duke Energy spokesperson told our media partner WCPO-9 that they were working to safely separate the downed lines.

As reported on News Center 7 at 11:00, our crews went to Monroe to speak with those stuck in the standstill traffic.

Dandre Burnett was one of the many people stuck in traffic, whose concerns were growing by the minute.

“The power just went out. We’re stuck in a standstill. We thought a tornado was going to hit us but it didn’t,” Burnett said.

Hours later, drivers stuck in traffic were able to carry on.

Just after 10 p.m., crews reopened the roadway, Ross confirmed.

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