COLLEGEVILLE SOLO VEHICLE VS. POWER POLE.

Collegeville, California.
At approximately 5:32pm this evening, California Highway Patrol and emergency personnel were dispatched to a solo vehicle accident on Jack Tone Road just north of Mariposa Road.  The accident occurred when the driver of the four-door silver Saturn was traveling southbound on Jack Tone Road and drifted off the roadway striking a power pole head-on.  The vehicle came to rest on the west side of Jack Tone Road in an irrigation ditch.  The power pole was snapped off at the base by the force of the impact.  The impact was so great that the tops of two other power poles were also snapped off.  Both of these power poles had transformers on them.  One of the transformers struck the edge of the pavement and burst into flames igniting the power pole and causing a small grass fire.  The pole and grass fire were quickly extinguished by fire personnel on scene.  The accident caused loss of power to at least one residence and outbuildings.  The accident also cause traffic delays after CHP had to close the roadway due to downed powerlines crossing the road.  PG&E was called out to survey damages and make repairs to restore power to the area.  The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital with minor injuries.  An auto wrecker with a 50-foot cable was needed to remove the vehicle from the ditch. At approximately 6:27pm the roadway was reopened to through traffic.