UPPER LAKE, Calif. – A Ukiah man escaped injury in a single-vehicle crash early Friday with a utility pole that shut down a portion of Highway 20 for several hours.

Josenrique Lupian, 18, was the driver involved in the crash, which occurred just after 5 a.m. Friday, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Lupian was driving a 2006 Toyota Tacoma eastbound on Highway 20 east of Scotts Valley Road at 50 miles per hour when he swerved to avoid a deer in the roadway and hit a utility pole, the CHP said.

The CHP said the crash caused utility lines to fall across both lanes of the highway.

Traffic was diverted onto Scotts Valley Road for several hours while repairs were made, according to the report.

Lupian was wearing his seat belt and didn't suffer injury, the CHP said.

Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash, which the CHP said remains under investigation.

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