Power Outage for 183 Customers in Covelo After Acura Crashes into Utility Pole

A collision into a utility pole caused a power outage for more than 180 customers and significant traffic delays along State Route 162 near Wattenburg Road in Covelo on Wednesday afternoon, according to the California Highway Patrol Traffic Incident Information Page.

Screenshot of PG&E Outage Map

The crash was reported at 2:57 p.m. as a black Honda Acura that struck a pole—initially described by callers as a telephone pole—and became lodged in a fence. Although the driver did not appear injured, the vehicle was stuck and blocking the southbound lane. The top of the pole was reported to be broken off. Despite the description of the damaged pole as a telephone pole, PG&E shut off power in the area due to the collision, and the utility began responding.

At 3:07 p.m., CHP advised that the vehicle’s occupant had been extricated. PG&E later confirmed on their outage map that 183 customers lost power beginning at 2:54 p.m., with an estimated restoration time of 8:45 p.m.

As officers worked the scene, traffic backed up along SR-162. Further details indicated that both front tires of the Acura were displaced roughly 10 yards from the roadway, and the sedan was wedged between a fence and a pole. A Ram pickup was later reported to be in the roadway as well. CHP requested two tow trucks, and the property owner was notified of fence damage.

Units on scene continued coordinating cleanup and traffic control through the afternoon. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.