A 25-year old Susanville man was arrested Saturday evening after the 2005 Dodge Ram he was driving crashed into a power pole near Lambert Lane in Standish, snapping the pole and causing a brief, localized power outage.
According to details from the CHP report a man identified as 25-year old Susanville resident Daniel Joseph was driving south on Lambert Lane at about 8:00p.m. As he approached the intersection with Mapes Road, “due to his high level of intoxication,” Joseph failed to slow to a safe speed.
“The Dodge pickup passed through the intersection, left the south edge of the roadway, struck an LMUD utility pole, broke through a wire fence, and eventually stopped in the Dakin Unit Wildlife Refuge,” explains CHP spokesperson Bruce Thuelchassaigne.
The pole was sheared from the ground as well as from the wires overhead.
“Fortunately, Mr. Joseph, who was not restrained at the time, sustained only minor injuries; and his vehicle sustained only moderate damage.”
Power was momentarily interrupted at the scene according to the report and local residents arrived and called 9-1-1.
“Meanwhile, Mr. Joseph drove his truck east along the fence line, drove through the fence, and fled the scene traveling east on Mapes Road.”
Witnesses continued to update CHP dispatchers, via 9-1-1, of the vehicle’s location.
“Officers stopped Mr. Joseph on Capezzoli Lane, south of Fish & Game Road. An investigation revealed that Mr. Joseph had consumed alcohol and was subsequently taken into custody on suspicion of DUI.”
LMUD crews responded to the scene and worked throughout the night to restore power. Much of the community of Janesville was affected by the outage.
The Susanville office of the CHP reminds motorists to always wear their seat belt and never drink and drive.
