Last power restored after SUV topples pole

An SUV crashed into and knocked over a power pole in southwest Bend Thursday afternoon, knocking out power to about 1,300 Pacific Power customers.

Over half had their power back by evening, but it took repair crews until 3 a.m. Friday to finish replacing the demolished pole and restore service to all customers.

The crash was reported around 3:30 p.m. on Powers Road between Blakely Road and the roundabout at Brookswood Boulevard. Crews on scene said the driver apparently lost control coming out of the roundabout.

The crash also cut power to nearby traffic lights on a cold but blue-sky Christmas when temperatures climbed a bit above freezing. That allowed some stretches of roads to clear from recent snow and ice, but others didn’t, especially in shady areas.

A woman who identified herself as the driver, Brittany Vnenchak, posted to the KTVZ Facebook page, apologizing for inconveniencing those affected on Christmas.

“I was headed to my mother’s for Christmas with my two babies when I slid on the ice coming out of the roundabout,” she wrote. “I was sliding towards the oncoming traffic, over-corrected and my car started sliding into the pole, and sparks were everywhere.

“I am so thankful to everyone there that helped us! This was a very dangerous situation, and we are so grateful for a great town full of good people that help others!”

While Bend police directed traffic, officials advised drivers to avoid the area and the intersection of Highway 97 and Powers Road.

Pacific Power estimated it could take until 10 p.m. for repair crews to replace the demolished pole and get everyone’s power back on again. By 7:30 p.m., fewer than 600 customers still were out of service, and that number dropped below 400 before midnight.

Area resident Scot Brees said his kids brought the utility workers some cookies, while he “went down to Shari’s to get them a pie and a carafe of coffee. They were as appreciative of the gifts as we were of getting the lights back on.”

One of the blacked-out area residents, Ken Fayal, wrote on NewsChannel 21’s Facebook page: “I won’t let no power ruin our Christmas day dinner. We are running off a generator.”