A 34-year-old Pierre man faces charges after crashing his vehicle into a city owned electrical distribution box and causing a power outage for about an hour last (Mon.) night.
The Pierre Police Department reports officers responding to a traffic crash on 4th Street near the intersection with Governor’s Drive at approximately 10:45pm. A vehicle driven by Wayne Crawford left the roadway and struck an electrical box causing a power outage in the area affecting approximately 500 customers.
Crawford told responding officers he was looking at his phone which distracted him and caused him to leave the roadway. During the investigation, Crawford showed signs of impairment and a DUI investigation was conducted. Crawford was placed under arrest for DUI and Careless Driving. Also during the investigation, officers located a loaded firearm in the vehicle. Crawford was additionally charged with Possession of a Loaded Firearm While Intoxicated.
Crawford was transported to the Hughes County Jail. Crawford’s vehicle sustained approximately $12,000 in damage and damages to the electrical box are estimated at $20,000.
