Jefferson Avenue Closed When Car Crashes Into Pole

An eldery driver crashed into a power pole in Murrieta today, causing the closure of northbound Jefferson Avenue for a time and knocking out power to three customers.

The crash was reported at 2:39 p.m. on northbound Jefferson at Fig Street, according to the California Highway Patrol website.

The pole was snapped from the line and lying across the roadway, prompting Murrieta police to close the road to traffic until about 3:20 p.m.

Southern California Edison responded by 3:05 p.m. to help clear the pole from the roadway so through traffic could be restored.

The SCE outage website showed three customers were without power following the crash. Power was expected to be restored by 6:44 p.m., according to the website.

The 79-year-old man who was driving the car was transported to an area hospital with undisclosed injuries.

Murrieta police Cpl. Jay Froboese said the man had just come from having his blood drawn some where, and may have been lightheaded.

According to Froboese, the man failed to negotiate a curve in the road and drove 10 feet up on the shoulder, hitting the pole.