Driver flees after crashing into power pole in Downtown Santa Barbara
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - A car crashed into a power pole on West Mission Street Thursday evening, but the driver fled the scene before authorities had arrived.
The car, a silver four-door Toyota, crashed into a pole at the 300 block of West Mission Street in Santa Barbara around 7:40 p.m.
Santa Barbara Police and Fire Departments responded to the incident and confirmed that the driver had left the scene, leaving the car behind, before they arrived.
Some residents witnessed the crash and ran outside their homes to see what had happened.
"I was watching T.V. and my window here over the sidewalk exploded in sparks, I mean a massive explosion," said Santa Barbara resident Sean Bonham. "Because I lost power ... I used my neighbor's phone to call 911. I told them what I saw, then I ran out here, went up the street and there was a car that crashed into a telephone pole, and the pole is basically being held up by the car."
Because of the downed power pole, multiple homes in the neighborhoods of West Mission Street lost power. Southern California Edison was on the scene and is working to restore power to about 137 residents.
As of 10:45 p.m., SCE's website said 92 people are still without power. SCE estimates that the power will be restored to most of the affected homes by 7:30 a.m. Friday morning.
Police said this was a possible DUI-related crash and are investigating the incident. The suspect is still at large.
