Truck hits power pole causing outage in Poway

POWAY (CNS) – The driver of a Toyota pickup crashed into a utility pole
in Poway early Thursday, sheering off the pole and causing a power outage in the
area, authorities said.

The crash in the 14900 block of Espola Road occurred shortly before 5:30
a.m., according to San Diego County sheriff's Sgt. Brian Jenkins.

The pickup driver was headed southbound when he reached for an object on
the passenger side floor board and slammed into pole on the west side of the
roadway, Jenkins said in a statement.

Paramedics took the driver to a hospital with a possible broken collar
bone, he said.

A second motorist traveling behind the pickup crashed into the downed
pole. Jenkins said the second motorist was not hurt but was trapped in his
vehicle until San Diego Gas & Electric Co. could arrive and shut off power in
the area.

A total of 144 SDG&E customers were without power because of the crash,
according to the utility, which reported on its website that power would likely
remain out until 3 p.m.