1,700 lose power when driver hits pole

Spokane police charged a 20-year-old driver with DUI on Friday morning after she hit a power pole at West Frederick Avenue and North Post Street, causing 1,700 neighbors to lose power. About 150 customers went without electricity until about 3 p.m.

Spokane police responded at 1 a.m. to what callers thought was an injury collision at Frederick and Post. When officers arrived, they found a 1991 Honda Accord had struck a guide wire of an Avista Utilities pole. The collision broke off the top of the pole.

Officers interviewed the driver, Kaitlin Q. Pallardy, and determined she was driving under the influence, Officer David Daddato said in a news release.