High winds are blamed for causing a freak accident that injured a Salina man.

Deputies from the Saline County Sheriff’s Office responded to Woodward Road near Crawford Street around 6:15pm Wednesday evening.

Deputies report that during a quick moving thunderstorm, gusting winds snapped a power line pole.

The broken pole then swung like pool cue stick and shattered the passenger window on Ford F350 flatbed driven by 49-year-old Mark Harter as he headed southbound.

Harter was hit in the face by the pole, but was not transported to the hospital for treatment.

Deputies report that three other power poles were also snapped by high winds as the storm moved northward.