Car takes out 9 utility poles in La Uruca, causing power outages

January 2^nd, 2013 (InsideCostaRica.com) A vehicle collided yesterday morning against a utility pole in front of the Banco Nacional in La Uruca, bringing 8 other utility poles down in the process in a domino effect.

 

The incident occurred about 5:40 am yesterday, when a couple traveling in a Toyota passenger car hit one of the poles, climbed over the poll, and rolled over in the process.  The driver of the vehicle was identified as Franklin Vargas Salazar.

 

William Quesada, head of the San Jose traffic police, said he was unaware of the cause of the collision, though other reports indicate the driver may have been traveling at a high rate of speed.

 

“When we arrived, the people had already been transferred to Hospital Mexico… they are in the shock/trauma ward, so we are unable to determine if alcohol was involved,” said the officer.

 

German Marin, Transit Director, said the driver received heavy blows but was in stable condition, though officials have not yet been permitted access to the patient.

 

Eight of the poles fell on the street, resulting in power, cable television, and internet outages in the area, said Fructuoso Garrido, Director of Distribution for the National Power and Light Company (CNFL).

 

The affected area stretched from the CNFL substation in La Uruca to the sports plaza.

 

The official said total damages were ¢ 27 million colones. Each post has a value close to ¢ 1 million colones, in addition to the cost of new hardware, wiring and double pay for workers as yesterday was a mandatory holiday.

 

According to Garrido, CNFL will be charging the driver of the vehicle for the damage.

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