MONROE (WWJ) – A 14-year-old girl has died after being electrocuted by a downed power line in Monroe Monday night.
First responders were called to the 1400 block of Peters Street around 7:40 p.m. and found the girl lying on the ground, still in contact with the energized electrical line.
Officials said on Facebook the wire was brought down by Monday’s severe storms that swept through Metro Detroit, with some areas seeing wind gusts of up to 74 mph. The storms left more than 230,000 DTE Energy customers without power.
Authorities said after discovering the girl’s body, they contacted DTE Energy crews, who disconnected the power lines so they could attend to the victim.
Once the scene was made safe and power was turned off, officials said “it was obvious that she had succumbed to her injuries.”
Monroe Police Detectives were on scene late Monday night still conducting an investigation.
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Officials said a preliminary investigation revealed the girl lived at the home where the incident occurred. Investigators learned the victim was walking with a friend in the backyard of her home and believed they could smell a bonfire.
The girl apparently reached for what she believed was a stick, but it was actually the charged electrical line, officials said.
The family of the victim were on scene as this incident occurred. Monroe Police Chaplains are currently on scene, providing support for the family through this very difficult situation.
After Monday’s storms passed through, officials with DTE sent a reminder, telling residents to stay at least 20 feet away from a downed power line.
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