Police: Alleged drunken driver causes power outage in McFarland

Vehicle left roadway, hit fire hydrant, trees, power pole

MCFARLAND, Wis. — A 49-year-old faces charges for allegedly driving drunk and crashing into a power pole, causing a partial power outage in McFarland Thursday night, according to a release.

Around 11:35 p.m. McFarland police were dispatched to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 51 at Babcock Park, officials said.

A 49-year-old man was driving a van south on Highway 51 when it left the roadway and hit a fire hydrant and some trees before hitting and breaking off a power pole, according to the release.

The south and west portions of the village were without power for about an hour and a half, police said. The 49-year-old was found to be intoxicated, and was transported to a local hospital for injuries he suffered in the crash.

The driver is being tentatively charged with first-offense operating while intoxicated.