Car, utility pole crash results in power outage, DUI arrest
<p>An Avista Utilities worker prepares to make repairs to a pole that was hit by a vehicle Tuesday on Huetter Road south of Prairie Avenue. Power in the area was out for more 2,600 Avista customers for at least part of the afternoon.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - The driver in a single-vehicle crash that took out a power pole Tuesday afternoon and briefly knocked out power to thousands of northern Kootenai County residents, was arrested by sheriff's deputies and now faces a felony charge of driving under the influence.
Prior to the collision, James S. Clark, 43, of Coeur d'Alene, was driving a 2013 Nissan Altima northbound on Huetter Road at an excessive speed, reports the sheriff's department.
Clark's vehicle crossed the centerline of the road and struck the Avista Utilities pole head on, shearing it at the base and knocking it into the road.
Avista crews restored power for most customers by 2:46 p.m. Full power was expected to be restored by 5:30 p.m.
Clark was not injured in the collision.
He has three prior arrests in Kootenai County for DUI, the sheriff's department reported. His blood alcohol tests are pending.