ORTEGA HIGHWAY: Crash into power pole closes eastbound lanes
ORTEGA HIGHWAY: Crash into power pole closes eastbound lanes
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A driver crashed into a power pole on Ortega Highway on Friday morning, closing down the eastbound side in San Juan Capistrano for at least 12 hours.
California Highway Patrol officials reported the crash occurred at 9:28 a.m. on the eastbound Ortega Highway, just west of the Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute, CHP Officer Jon Latosquin said.
A woman, suspected to be in her late 40s, crashed a pickup into a San Diego Gas & Electric power pole, according to the CHP log. The reason was not immediately known.
Forty-one customers lost power in the area, utility officials said.
The crash caused the truck to overturn and travel 20 to 25 off the roadway, leaving behind a partially broken power pole and disabled lines, which hung over freeway lanes.
The woman crawled out of the truck before Orange County Fire Authority officials arrived and seemed disoriented, OCFA Capt. Steve Concialdi said.
She was taken with a traumatic head injury to Mission Hospital and she is expected to survive.
CHP officials closed the eastbound lanes of the freeway while authorities repaired the pole. It was expected to be closed down for at least 12 hours, Latosquin said.
Utility officials expected to have the power restored by 1:30 p.m.
Drivers were advised to avoid the highway during the day on Friday.�
