How to resolve AdBlock issue? LOWER LAKE, Calif. – An early morning vehicle wreck in Lower Lake damaged a power pole and resulted in power outages that closed area schools, with repairs continuing Thursday afternoon.
The crash occurred shortly before 3 a.m. on Lake Street at Bryant Road, as Lake County News first reported on Thursday morning.
California Highway Patrol Officer Kory Reynolds said 29-year-old Matthew Brew of Los Angeles was driving a 2002 Land Rover southbound on Lake Street at an unknown speed when he allowed his vehicle to exit the east roadway edge and struck a utility pole.
Initially reported as a hit and run, Reynolds said Brew was contacted at the scene and arrested for driving under the influence.
There were no passengers in the vehicle, and Reynolds said Brew sustained minor injuries to his head, chest and hands.
The crash sheared off the power pole. Reynolds said power outages in the area resulted, forcing the closure of local schools.
Parts of Lake Street also were closed due to the downed lines and pole, with Reynolds stating that it was not known when the road would reopen.
Officer Erica Coddington is investigating the crash, Reynolds said.
Because of the power outage, the Konocti Unified School District reported that several schools had been closed for the day, including the Lewis School for independent study students, Lower Lake Elementary, Lower Lake High School and Carlé Continuation High School.
The repairs to the pole were continuing Thursday morning afternoon, with barricades up near the work area on Lake Street.
Pacific Gas & Electric spokesperson Brittany McKannay said efforts were under way to make repairs as quickly and safely as possible.
“We have a crew out there right now trying to finalize those repairs,” she said.
Originally, about 2,100 customers had been affected. McKannay said they were located in Lower Lake, Clearlake, Middletown and even one in Lakeport. “It just depends on how they’re fed through the system.
She said the crew, working on Lake Street, had been able to restore power to most of the customers.
By noon, McKannay said 130 customers in Lower Lake remained without power. She said those customers won’t have power until all of the repairs are finished later Thursday.
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