Pair of Bend DUII hit-and-run crashes knock out power, lead to arrests

(Update: Second drunken-driving hit-and-run on Newport Avenue; power restored)

First affected nearly 2,400 Pacific Power customers; 2nd, nearly 400

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Two allegedly drunk drivers crashed into power poles in Bend in less than six hours, resulting in widespread outages -- and in both cases, leading to the arrests of the allegedly fleeing drivers, police said.

The first hit-and-run crash in southern Bend Monday evening brought down power lines, sparked three small fires along Brookswood Boulevard and left nearly 2,400 people in the dark. A citizen followed the driver, leading to his arrest in Deschutes River Woods, police said.

The crash was reported around 7:45 p.m. at the roundabout intersection of Brookswood Boulevard and Murphy Road.  Power lines were pulled down and small fires broke out along the west side of the road.

Bend police Sgt. Rob Emerson said witnesses reported the Chevy pickup hit a power pole, causing power lines to fall to the ground, which in turn caused fires in the grass and set a fence on fire.

He said a citizen spotted the pickup and followed it to a home in Deschutes River Woods, where Bend police and Deschutes County sheriff's deputies contacted the driver.

The 32-year-old Bend man was arrested on charges of hit-and-run (property), DUII-alcohol, reckless driving and first-degree criminal mischief.

Pacific Power’s Oregon outage page said 2,342 customers lost power around 7:43 p.m. Power was restored to about half by late Monday night and the rest overnight.

Emerson said the resulting outage also knocked out some traffic signals along Third Street.

Driver Daniel Eastman's dashcam video caught the bright flash of power going out as he drove south on Brookswood, just north of the roundabout at that intersection.

Eastman said three fires were sparked by the downed lines, the largest by the roundabout at the toppled pole that was doused before fire crews arrived. Another fire to the north was tackled by people from cars grabbing shovels, he said, while a third in between apparently went out on its own.

The person who used a Class C fire extinguisher to put out the first fire said they are rated for electrical fires and reminded others to never use a hose or water on an electrical fire.

Shortly after 1 a.m., officers responded to a reported crash on Northwest Newport Avenue near Third Street, Corporal Jeff Frickey said.

It was reported a white pickup left the road and struck a power pole, causing significant damage – and that the driver fled on foot, Frickey said.

Officers arrived in the area as a caller to 911 was following the fleeing driver and providing information. Frickey said the 39-year-old Bend man was found about five blocks away and taken into custody without incident, charged with DUII-alcohol, reckless driving and hit-and-run (property damage).

Bend Public Works employees responded and closed down a section of Newport Avenue, between Third and Fifth streets.

Pacific Power crews responded to the scene to remove and replace the damaged power pole and restore service.

Nearly 400 customers were still without power around 8 a.m. Tuesday as repairs continued. The utility had estimated it would be restored by 9:30 a.m., but pushed that back to noon. It was restored later in the morning.