A collision with a power pole on First Street SW knocked out power to part of the city on Tuesday morning. (Image from Ariella Gallimore)

By Chris Brown

$20,000 in damages

Driver who hit power pole was impaired by drugs

Apr 6, 2021 | 4:07 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Police say the driver of a vehicle that collided with a power pole on First Street SW this afternoon was impaired by drugs at the time.

According to a release from the Medicine Hat Police Service, the vehicle veered off the road at about 7:20 a.m. and struck the power pole just past Harris Street,” sheering it in half.”

Police say the driver was uninjured and was released under the IRS (Immediate Roadside Sanctions) Alberta Provincial Sanctions Program.

The MHPS traffic unit continues to investigate.

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Total damage to the vehicle and power pole is estimated to be about $20,000.

The city says the incident knocked out power to more than 2,300 customers on the Southeast Hill for about three hours.