Suspicion of drunk driving causes numerous accidents, power outages and disruptions to tram traffic in Chula Vista

A driver suspected of being under the influence of alcohol caused several accidents on the highway and cut power to at least 200 homes early Sunday morning when his car struck and knocked over a power pole on a South Bay access road.

According to Onscene.Media, a man was driving a white BMW north on Bay Boulevard next to Interstate 5 in Chula Vista when he crashed the car into a utility pole and toppled it around 5:30 a.m.

When the power pole fell, it also brought down heavy cables, some of which were lying at about head height above the I-5 freeway, preventing motorists from avoiding them.

At least 11 southbound and two northbound motorists struck the power lines, which were heavy enough to damage their windshields.

In addition, at least 237 SDG&E customers lost power.

In addition, some power cables lay on streetcar tracks east of the highway, disrupting service, while other cables ended up in a playground at the corner of Colorado and K streets.

The driver was arrested at the scene of the accident for drunk driving.

No injuries were reported.