By Sara Beth Williams–
A driver was arrested Friday after one vehicle collided with a traffic signal light post at an intersection in Citrus Heights that has seen over 40 collisions involving the brick planter boxes. This time, the collision occurred on the southwest corner.
Early Friday morning, Citrus Heights Police responded to a single-vehicle collision in which a driver struck a traffic signal pole at the intersection of Old Auburn Road and Fair Oaks Boulevard. The vehicle was traveling eastbound on Old Auburn Road. The entire pole on the southwest corner was completely sheared off by the collision, the city confirmed Friday afternoon.
A portion of Old Auburn Road was closed temporarily for about an hour as crews cleared debris from the roadway, police said. The city’s electrical contractor closed off the eastbound bike lane while standing the new pole but was able to keep the eastbound vehicular lanes on Old Auburn Road open during repairs.
Traffic signal equipment was replaced, and everything was restored to its original condition and confirmed to be operational by 2:15 p.m. Friday afternoon, according to the city. The rest of the traffic signal system in the intersection was not damaged and remained functional during the repairs.
The city said no overhead power lines or utility poles were impacted by the incident to their knowledge.
Citrus Heights Police are treating the crash as a possible DUI collision, authorities said, adding that the vehicle involved in the collision was stolen. Police are continuing to investigate.
After being transported to and treated at an area hospital, the driver was arrested and taken to Sacramento County Main Jail. Authorities did not release the name of the driver or specify the exact charges.
