DUBOIS – A DUI accident caused power outages for a little over 1,100 Penelec customers in the DuBois area.
According to the DuBois City Police Department, officers were dispatched on Monday at roughly 10:26 p.m. to an accident on 19 N. Main St. Police found that a vehicle had struck a utility pole, causing it to fall to the ground. Police said that transformers and wires were on the road.
According to the report the vehicle had smashed through a fence, went over and embankment, into the BiLo parking lot then fled the scene. Officers received information from a witness that the suspect vehicle was a silver Ford truck with three occupants.
A short time later, officers located the severely damaged truck parked on the 200 block of West Logan Avenue. The driver, a 26-year-old Texas man, was found and arrested for DUI and related charges. The DuBois Fire Department assisted at the scene.
According to a Penelec press release, two circuits were affected. Crews arrived within 10 minutes and were able to de-energize the live wires in order to ensure public safety. Penelec said that two utility poles were destroyed due to the accident.
The power company said that power was restored to 1,087 customers by 4:25 a.m., but 16 remained without power this morning while crews worked on replacing the utility poles. Penelec said a second power outage is needed for about 1 hour to facilitate the repairs. The work is expected to be completed Tuesday morning.
Penelec thanked their customers for their patience and understanding and wants to remind people to stay away from all downed power lines as they may be energized and dangerous.