TOMS RIVER – A Toms River woman was arrested after hitting a pole, causing power outages and brush fires, all resulting from driving under the influence, police said.
Around 11:30 p.m. Monday, police and firefighters responded to the intersection of Church and Silverton Roads for a crash involving a pole and wires down, as well as a nearby brush fire.
According to police, 70-year-old Deborah J Camiscoli-Spedick was traveling west on Church Road when she failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway and struck a utility pole.
As a result, the pole cracked at the base and power lines fell to the ground. This caused three different sections of brush on the side of the roadway to catch fire, police said.
In addition, the damaged pole caused multiple primary power lines in the area to fall leading to power outages and multiple traffic signals to go out.
Members of Silverton EMS responded to the scene and attempted to render aid to Camiscoli-Spedick, however she refused medical attention.
The car was towed from the scene and Camiscoli-Spedick was arrested and charged with DUI. She was issued traffic citations for reckless driving and careless driving.
Charges are merely accusations until proven in a court of law.
