Power has been restored to businesses and homes following an early-morning car accident on Highway 3/95 running through Cranbrook on Friday.
RCMP responded to the report of a motor vehicle crash at 5 a.m. in front of North Star Motors, where a stolen black 1999 Ford F350 had collided with a hydro pole that collapsed on top of the truck.
The vehicle had been stolen from a nearby motel and the suspect left the scene on foot and was not located by police.
The collapsed hydro pole knocked out power for a large number of homes and businesses, and also interfered with a few traffic lights.
"As a result of the accident, distribution wires were knocked down and there was significant damage to a three phase pole, three phase transformer bank and two underground service dips that feed North Star Motors," said Diane Tammen, the East Kootenay community relations manager for B.C. Hydro.
Over 2,400 B.C. Hydro customers were immediately affected, the majority of which had power restored by 7 a.m. as eastbound traffic was diverted down Theatre Rd. from the intersection of the highway and Victoria Ave. to allow crews to do the repairs.
By roughly 1 p.m., power was restored to all customers save for North Star Motors.
"Repairs included removing the damaged pole, and replacing five damaged cross arms," said Tammen. "On Friday afternoon crews will replace the damaged pole and expect to have permanent repairs completed by later in the day."
Tammen also noted staff from the Ministry of Environment were on scene to attend to an oil spill.
"The spill was contained and tested with the results indicating the spill was PCB free," she said. "Clean up of the spill has been completed."
The investigation is ongoing and police request anyone who may have witnessed the crash or have information relating to it call Cranbrook RCMP at 250-489-3471 or Crimestoppers at 1800-222-8477. Information can also be relayed via web or text based tips with details on canadiancrimestoppers.org