Berkeley power outage, road closures after hit-and-run crash
There are closures on Sixth Street, between University Avenue and Allston Way, and on Addison Street from Fifth Street to Sixth Street.
A driver who ran into a power pole, then fled the scene, knocked out electricity to more than a thousand PG&E customers in West Berkeley on Tuesday, according to police and community reports.
Berkeley police have advised pedestrians and motorists to avoid Addison and Sixth streets due to the downed pole, according to a 3:30 p.m. Nixle alert.
A Scanner reader shared a photograph of the collision, which involved a white pickup truck that knocked the pole askew.
The crash happened at about 2:50 p.m., Berkeley police said. A witness called it in.
Police said the driver — a slender Black man in his 20s in blue jeans and a black hoodie — ran from the scene. The investigation is ongoing.
The pole "completely sheared off and landed on itself" as a result of the collision, authorities said.
The city has reported two road closures, on Sixth Street between University Avenue and Allston Way, and on Addison Street from Fifth Street to Sixth Street.
"Please use alternate detours until further notice," police said.
PG&E's outage map showed power out for 1,127 customers a short time ago. As of publication time, that number had dropped to 741.
The Scanner has asked PG&E for comment.
This story will be updated if additional details become available.
