A Honda Civic severed a wood utility pole on Quada Street last night, cutting power to the Cloverdale Road area and tying up morning traffic.
Saanich police say the northbound Honda veered off Quadra near Hollis Road last night at 12:30 a.m. and smashed into the pole. The car was destroyed, but its two occupants, a 26-year-old female driver and a 27-year-old male passenger, were unharmed due to seatbelts and airbags.
The driver told police another car cut her off and she lost control, said Sgt. Steve Eassie. Speed and alcohol aren't considered factors in the crash, he said.
"There is no indication speed is a factor. At that point there is a bend in the road, and at 50 or 60 km/h, if you struck the pole you'd likely sever the pole," Eassie said.
Damage to the pole cut three transformers and a number of power lines, leaving about 2,300 area residents and businesses in the dark for about nine hours, including Thrifty Foods and the Petro Canada gas station near the Quadra-Cook-Cloverdale intersection.
Hydro has restored power to most of the area.
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