Downed utility pole delays traffic

Police believe a tractor-trailer truck -- either knowingly or unknowingly -- knocked down a utility pole at Morgan Oak and Spanish streets Monday morning, causing brief delays in traffic.

Cape Girardeau police responded to a call at about 7:55 a.m., said police Cpl. Rick Schmidt.

Schmidt said it is likely a tractor-trailer truck, or something of similar size, knocked down the utility pole as it made the turn onto Morgan Oak toward the Mississippi River bridge.

The vehicle that knocked the pole over left the scene, Schmidt said.

The pole partially blocked Morgan Oak, delaying traffic for about 15 minutes.

"We had one-lane traffic for awhile and we had to stop traffic to allow vehicles to get on and off the bridge," Schmidt said. "But we never had to close the bridge."

AmerenUE fixed the pole in 10 to 15 minutes, Schmidt said.

Schmidt said it was possible the driver didn't know he had knocked over a pole.

"It could have hit the back of his truck and he may never have felt a thing," Schmidt said.