SEQUIM — Clallam County sheriff’s deputies were working Thursday to confirm the identity of the driver of a black Hummer sport utility vehicle that sheared a Woodcock Road power pole from its base the morning of New Year’s Day.
The wreck temporarily cut power to 67 Clallam County Public Utility District customers.
“The investigation is still active,” Chief Criminal Deputy Ron Cameron said Thursday.
Deputies were called to the wreck just west of Kitchen-Dick Road at 7:21 a.m. Wednesday.
They arrived to find the SUV empty, with its flashers on the front end damaged, and a single power pole knocked over, Cameron said.
Owner wasn’t driver
“I understand that the owner of this vehicle was determined not to be the operator,” Cameron said.
Deputies have spoken with a man they believe to have been the driver of the SUV, Cameron said, though the case is still open.
Deputies believe the SUV’s owner entrusted it to the driver, Cameron added.
“There’s nothing connecting it to being a stolen vehicle,” Cameron said.
Cameron said no arrests have been made.
Utility crews had the pole replaced and power restored by 1:23 p.m. Wednesday, said Michael Howe, PUD spokesman.
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Reporter Jeremy Schwartz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at jschwartz@peninsuladailynews.com.
