A temporary power blackout for some homes and businesses in the Hawkesbury and L’Orignal areas was the result of a stolen car that damaged a hydro pole.
Hawkesbury OPP received a call at about 3:15 a.m., November 7, about a car accident on County Road 17 in L’Orignal. When police arrived at the intersection of the county road with John Street, they found a car in the ditch near a power pole.
Hydro One was contacted about the incident and sent out an emergency crew to determine if there was any damage to the pole. Hydro workers made a temporary disconnection of the power lines to the pole to allow both police and paramedics to approach the damaged vehicle.
There was no one inside the vehicle. A record check of the licence plate revealed that it was reported stolen. The OPP Canine Unit and the Emergency Response Team were called in to assist with a search of the area for the missing drive.« It was just wonderful, » said Lucie Gambuto, one of the organizers of the event.
At about 8 a.m. that morning a man was located and arrested on several charges under the federal Criminal Code and the provincial Highway Traffic Act.
He is scheduled for a future provincial court appearance on charges of possession of stolen property valued at more than $5000, fleeing from police, dangerous driving, and resisting arrest. He is also charged with driving without a licence, and failing to remain at the scene of an accident.
Hydro crews returned to the scene later in the morning to further assess the damage to the power pole. They determined the pole needed replacement. A temporary traffic detour was set up to allow both removal of the stolen vehicle and replacement of the power pole.
Hydro One stated in an email to EAP that the resulting power loss affected between 300 to 400 customers in the Hawkesbury and L’Original areas. Power was restored by about 4 p.m.
