Car Hits Transformer, Causes Power Outage
Nearly 1,300 houses in Saugus were without power early Sunday morning after a suspected drunk driver crashed into a Southern California Edison Co. facility, officials said.
Michael Smith, 22, smashed his pickup truck into an Edison transformer at Pamplico Drive east of Carnegie Avenue about 3 a.m., said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. Don Rodriguez. Smith was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.
Power was restored to 90% of the houses by 4:27 a.m., said Edison Area Manager Rosalie Gnam. Electricity to the remaining customers was restored shortly after 5.
Officials had not determined the extent of damage to Edison facilities caused by the accident.
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