A motorist hit a power pole on Fountain Street, knocking power out for much of Albert Lea Monday morning. An Alliant Energy crew worked to restore power. Lights came back on at about 10:15 a.m.

Nearly 1,600 customers were without power in Albert Lea, according to Alliant Energy’s website.

The site didn’t list a neighborhood, but companies along Front, First and Fountain streets reported to the Tribune that they were without power.

Albert Lea police said Stacy Palmer, 42, the driver of a white Land Rover, was driving eastbound on Fountain Street when she reportedly looked down and then hit the pole.

An Alliant Energy spokesman said the power went out at about 9 a.m. and confirmed it was because a car hit a pole. He said the crash was at 802 Fountain St.

The Alliant Energy website said 1,578 customers were without power. The company has 12,339 customers in Freeborn County, mostly in cities or along major routes.