Impaired Driver in Abbotsford Causes Power Outage and Near‑Tragedy A 49‑year‑old man driving under the influence collided with a power pole in Abbotsford, causing several live lines to fall and an outage affecting dozens of customers. Police took the driver into custody and are recommending multiple charges, while hydro crews restored power by early morning. Police in Abbotsford were alerted to a serious incident on the evening of Sunday when a motorist operating a truck appeared to be driving under the influence and subsequently abandoned the vehicle in a dangerous manner. Officers on McCallum Road, just past Highway 1, encountered a driver who initially decelerated as if to stop but then accelerated and fled after an attempt to pull him over. The pursuit proved perilous as the truck swerved across the concrete boulevard, creating a significant safety hazard for other road users. During the chase, police observed the vehicle collide with a power pole on the corner of Laurnell Crescent and Huggins Avenue.Live Hydro Lines Down On RoadwayThe impact forced the pole's transformer onto the truck's hood, bringing several live hydro lines down onto the roadway. The energized lines posed an immediate threat to public safety, making it impossible for officers to approach the vehicle or arrest the driver without risking electrical shock.Consequently, B.C. Hydro crews were dispatched at approximately 7:20 p.m. to isolate the hazard and restore electricity. While first responders worked to secure the area, B.C. Hydro informed that the outage initially affected 19 customers.Power Restored After Pole ReplacementBy sunset, the crews had dispatched power to all affected customers and restored power to all by roughly five a.m., after replacing the damaged pole and shutting down an additional 33 customers to complete the repair safely. The driver, a 49-year-old male, was taken into custody after breath samples collected by police returned a reading that was twice the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration in British Columbia.Police are recommending charges that include impaired driving, operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration over 80 milligrams per cent, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from police, and mischief. The officer's statement, posted on social media, emphasized that no one was injured in the incident, although the outcome could have been far worse.The Abbotsford Police Department warned that any decision to drive while impaired endangers everyone on the road and that the driver's actions in this case risked critical infrastructure and public safety. The department will likely pursue charges to deter such conduct.Police Warn Against Impaired DrivingIn addition to the legal ramifications, the incident highlights the importance of collaborating with utility companies during emergencies. When high-voltage lines are compromised, swift action by both law enforcement and emergency services is essential to mitigate risks. For the affected residents, the power outage lasted a short while only, thanks to the commitment of B.C. Hydro and the prompt response of police.This incident serves as a stark reminder that impaired driving can lead to life‑changing consequences not only for the driver but also for the community. Traffic officials are urging motorists to refrain from driving under the influence and to seek alternative transportation options to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.