DUI suspect hits pole on SR 64, knocks out power

A police chase shortly after 2 a.m. in East County resulted in a DUI suspect driving a Chevrolet Camaro into a power pole on State Road 64, which effectively knocked out power to the surrounding area for approximately 30 to 45 minutes.

Randy Warren, the Manatee County Sheriff Office's public information officer, said that a deputy pursued the DUI suspect for a short distance at approximately 70 mph.

When the female driver attempted to navigate the roundabout at S.R. 64 and Pope Road, she lost control and hit the pole at 2:15 a.m.

Warren said the woman suffered minor injuries.

Warren said no more information would be released because the incident is under investigation.

FPL trucks were on the scene quickly to restore power to the GreyHawk Landing and Eagle Trace neighborhoods. The crash knocked out power to 4,418 residents and more than half had their power restored in 30 minutes. All power was restored in 45 minutes.