In a matter of seconds, an alleged drunk driver at the wheel of a Chevy pick-up smashed into a power pole and transformer

on South Barlow Lane in Bishop and took out power to dozens of home, a traffic signal and Northern Inyo Hospital.

CHP officers said that 24-year-old Joseph Montoya was the driver. At last word, he was still in custody at the Inyo County Jail. Officers said the wreck was under investigation as a possible Driving Under the Influence collision.

It was about 3:30 Sunday morning when CHP officers responded to a report of a collision. They said Montoya was driving his 2007 Chevy pick-up at a high rate of speed on Barlow Lane as he approached Sunset Dr. Officers said Montoya made an unsafe turning movement and lost control of his truck.

The CHP said Montoya then struck a power pole and transformer box. The wreck caused extensive damage to the truck and power pole which was almost sheered in two. Officers said the driver and four passengers fled the scene but were later caught.

The CHP listed the passengers with first initials and last names as 26-year-old J. Hess, 22-year-old A. Spoonhunter and 22-year-old J. Gonzalez – all of Bishop – and 25-year-old J. Reyes of Big Pine.

Southern California Edison worked on the electricity mess Sunday and today. Some neighborhoods were without power Sunday and most of today.