More than 1,000 utility customers were without power for part of
Thursday
– and some until 4:30 a.m. today – because of what the
California Highway Patrol and the San Benito County Fire Department
believe was a hit-and-run against a utility pole.
More than 1,000 utility customers were without power for part of Thursday – and some until 4:30 a.m. today – because of what the California Highway Patrol and the San Benito County Fire Department believe was a hit-and-run against a utility pole.
The CHP said a large truck struck the pole on Southside Road next to the parking lot at Southside Convalescent Hospital at 9:26 a.m. Thursday, knocking out power to 1,076 utility customers – including the convalescent hospital and a complex of San Benito County offices.
The force of the collision snapped the pole into three pieces and the weight of the top of the pole caused a break in the lines that shut off power to the convalescent home and the county planning department, agriculture commissioner’s offices, the public works department and the Council of San Benito County Governments office.
The downed lines also cut off power to a housing development along Hospital Road and a number of other homes along Southside Road.
The accident also canceled the planned movement of equipment and materials from the convalescent hospital to the new Mabie Skilled Nursing Facility next to Hazel Hawkins Hospital, a hospital worker said.
Power was restored to 627 utility customers by 11:35 a.m. Thursday, Pacific Gas and Electric spokesman Jeff Smith said. Another 247 customers had power back by 12:53 p.m. and another 33 customers 20 minutes later, he said.
The final 169 customers did not get their power back until 4:30 a.m. today after the pole and lines were replaced, Smith said.
No one was injured in the accident, which is still under investigation.
Anyone with information about the accident, the truck or the driver who struck the pole is asked to call the San Benito County Sheriff’s Department at 636-4080 or the California Highway Patrol at (866) 502-5058.
