15,000+ lose power in Citrus Heights area after vehicle hits power pole

At least 15,000 residents in the Citrus Heights and Antelope area lost power Wednesday afternoon when a vehicle collided with a high voltage power pole, leaving a severed pole and wires dangling next to the roadway.

California Highway Patrol Officer M. Terry said the collision occurred when a four door compact sedan went off the roadway while traveling on PFE Road, which is on the border of Antelope and Roseville. Cal Fire crews were also on scene extinguishing remnants of a small grass fire started by the crash.

CHP said the reason for the collision was currently unknown and the driver was transported to a local hospital with unknown injuries.

The power loss affected about 17,000 customers according to a SMUD online power map, with most residents and businesses having power restored by about 6 p.m. Numerous businesses along Auburn Boulevard were observed with power out around 5 p.m. Wednesday, with the Valero gas station at Antelope Road and Auburn Boulevard posting a handwritten sign reading “power out.”

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“Nothing is working” said a Valero clerk, after turning away a woman who said she didn’t have enough gas to drive home. He said power was cut at 4:49 p.m., leaving him with little options but to consider calling his boss and closing for the day.

As of 7:20 p.m. Wednesday, about 100 customers are still without power in the Antelope area, according to SMUD’s online power map. Their estimated restoration time is listed as 5 a.m. Thursday.

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