Courtesy: Santa Cruz Fire
Courtesy: Karl HeimanSANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- Santa Cruz Fire responded to a car accident involving a power pole on Saturday night that triggered a major power outage in the downtown area and Seabright neighborhood.
Around 8:11 p.m., fire crews said they found a mid-size pickup truck that hit a parking sign and fence and continued into a large power pole at 203 Third Street.
Witnesses told Central Coast News there were no lights in any of the businesses on Pacific Ave. from Laurel to the Santa Cruz Cinema Nine theatre. Some stayed open by candlelight, and others were forced to close for the night.
Crews said the pole was completely sheered off at the base and snapped in half bringing the entire pole and wires to the ground.
The driver and occupants fled the scene.
No one was hurt.
There were fire alarms being reported and elevators in the downtown area that were stuck.
The area near the Boardwalk was shut down to traffic to allow the cleanup to proceed.
Power is expected to be restored around 11 p.m.
