PORT HADLOCK — A Port Townsend man has been arrested for investigation of driving under the influence of alcohol after his car left state Highway 116, went into the ditch and struck a utility pole.
The wreck blocked the highway for about eight hours and cut power to more than 1,000 electrical customers.
Ronald D. Davis, 61, was transported to Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton on Monday night, according to the State Patrol, and then was booked into the Jefferson County Jail just after 3 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
The State Patrol said Davis was traveling eastbound on Highway 116 near milepost 1 when he failed to negotiate the curve near Oak Bay Road. The car left the road to the right, struck the pole and came to rest in the ditch about 10:11 p.m. Monday.
The road was fully blocked for about eight hours, according to the State Patrol.
Power was out for up to 1,800 customers, said Will O’Donnell, the communications manager for the Jefferson County Public Utility District (PUD).
Most were out for about four hours, but about 65 customers were without power for almost 10 hours as PUD employees worked to replace the pole, O’Donnell said.
The vehicle was totally destroyed and was towed away, the State Patrol said.
It was not immediately known if Davis was wearing a seat belt, according to the State Patrol.
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Jefferson County Managing Editor Brian McLean can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 6, or at bmclean@peninsuladailynews.com.