CORRALITOS — Corralitos Road is expected to remain closed until Wednesday afternoon after a man, reportedly driving under the influence of alcohol, struck a power pole, shearing it at the base and causing power and utility lines to cross the roadway.
A Pacific Gas and Electric official said the downed power lines carried 120,000 volts.
California Highway Patrol Officer Sam Courtney said 21-year-old Cristian Rodriguez of Watsonville was driving a 1999 Nissan Quest northbound on Corralitos Road, just north of Freedom Boulevard, at 2:05 a.m., when he lost control of his vehicle, shot off the pavement and hit the pole.
Courtney confirmed that despite the rainy conditions and windy road, alcohol was the primary factor in the crash. Rodriguez was also driving without a license.
Rodriguez suffered minor injuries. He was arrested and then released to a sobering center Wednesday morning, Courtney said.
A number of residents in the Corralitos area experienced power outages due to the incident, and Corralitos Road has since been closed by PG&E, between Freedom Boulevard and Varni Road, for power pole and utility line repairs.
“I heard about the crash and I’m just glad that there is power at my business to start my day,” said Misty Galvan, owner of Corralitos Tattoo at the corner of Freedom Boulevard and Corralitos Road. “I heard a bunch of people lost their power.”
Amesti and Bradley Elementary school officials have warned parents to plan ahead and to find alternate routes to and from the campuses.
As of 9:30 a.m. crews from AT&T, Davey Tree, PG&E and a traffic control agency were on the scene.
The route is expected to reopen by 3 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, Courtney said.
