(KRON) — A suspected DUI driver plowed into a power pole in Santa Rosa on Tuesday, knocking out the electricity for approximately 20,000 residents, police said in an update Wednesday.
The Santa Rosa Police Department responded at 12:19 p.m. to Piner Road, just east of Marlow Road, on the report of a solo-vehicle crash. Witnesses told 911 that a white Tesla had collided with a power pole before the driver got out and tossed a bottle of alcohol into the grass while walking away.
An arriving officer found the driver, identified as Anthony Turnbull, 46, of Santa Rosa, on the sidewalk of Marlow Road, according to police.
“The officer later located an almost-empty bottle of Fireball whisky in the area identified by onlookers and, during his investigation, determined that the bottle had belonged to Turnbull,” SRPD wrote.
The crash shattered the power pole and knocked down power lines, causing a power outage in the area affecting 15,000 to 20,000 residents, authorities said. Power was restored to most customers by 1:05 p.m.
Turnbull, who has a prior DUI conviction, was found to have a blood alcohol content higher than the legal limit of 0.08%, Santa Rosa PD said. He was arrested and booked into the Sonoma County Jail for two felony counts related to driving under the influence.
The intersection of Piner and Marlow roads was reopened as of 4 a.m. Wednesday following repairs to the power pole and lines.
