Xcel Energy: Utility pole in Hopkins fatal accident met safety standards

HOPKINS, Minn. (FOX 9) - Officials with Xcel Energy say a utility pole that fell on a car in Hopkins Sunday afternoon, killing one person, had been recently inspected and met all of the company’s required safety standards.

Hopkins fatal accident involving utility pole

What we know:

The Hopkins Police and Fire Departments responded to the incident just before 5 p.m. Sunday on the 300 block of Blake Road North. When authorities arrived, an Xcel Energy utility pole had fallen on top of a vehicle, which started a fire.

One person inside the vehicle at the time of the incident was pronounced dead at the scene. That person has not been identified.

Xcel Energy statement

What they're saying:

Officials with Xcel Energy issued the following statement to FOX 9 on Monday after the accident.

"Our thoughts are with the individual who was fatally injured when a pole came down Sunday in Hopkins. The pole was inspected recently and was in compliance with all required safety standards. We are working with authorities and conducting our own investigation into the matter."

Xcel Energy officials say power is expected to be restored to 160 customers impacted by noon Monday.

What we don't know:

The person in the vehicle has not yet been identified, and what led up to the incident remains under investigation.