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A hit-and-run Saturday on West Telegraph Road managed to damage both an electrical pole and a gas line before the driver fled the scene. Santa Paula Police and Fire, Southern California Edison and the Gas Company responded to the scene of the accident that left a portion of West Telegraph Road shut down for more than two hours. |
Hit-and-run damages electrical pole,
March 04, 2015
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
A solo hit-and-run accident left a busy portion of Santa Paula shut down and traffic diverted Saturday after an electrical pole was sheared and a gas main damaged.
According to Santa Paula Fire PIO Andy VanSciver, the incident was reported February 28 at 12:21 p.m. as a “traffic collision in the 15800 block of West Telegraph Road,” between Peck and Calavo roads.
When emergency responders including duty Engine 182 arrived on scene VanSciver said they found a “utility pole was sheared and a gas line was damaged leaking high-pressure gas… ”
According to Santa Paula Police Sgt. Ken Clark, the incident report notes a gold sedan “turning right from the liquor store at Sheppard Road and Telegraph Road struck an electric pole and gas meter. The vehicle then fled west on Telegraph,” and was gone when Santa Paula Police and the SPFD arrived at the location.
During the collision the vehicle sheared the SCE pole and damaged a gas meter on the south side of West Telegraph, creating a double hazard.
VanSciver said, “For safety reasons” traffic was stopped in both directions between Peck Road and Lindsay Lane and Southern California Edison and the Gas Company were notified to respond to the incident.
“No evacuations were necessary as the west winds sufficiently disbursed the gas,” said Van Sciver.
A Southern California Gas Company crew secured the gas line at 2:41 p.m. and “SCE secured the pole with a utility truck short thereafter.
“West Telegraph Road,” said VanSciver, “was reopened to traffic at approximately 2:50 p.m.”
Witnesses said although the road was opened the SCE crew was still working to replace the pole about 8:30 p.m.
Santa Paula Police are investigating the hit-and-run and ask anyone with information to contact the SPPD, 805-525-4474.
If you would prefer to remain anonymous, call the SPPD recorded Tip Hotline, 933-5691 or email tips to tipline@spcity.org
