Section of Shaffer Road near Winton closed after crash leaves power lines in road

A section of Shaffer Road north of Winton was closed Thursday following a crash that brought down power lines, according to the California Highway Patrol

CHP Officer Eric Zuniga said officers responded at about 12:30 p.m. to a solo-vehicle crash on Shaffer Road, between Mercedes Avenue and Palm Avenue. Zuniga said Joanne Stoll, 66, of Winton, was driving a 2002 Honda CRV northbound on Shaffer Road when for unknown reasons the vehicle went off the right shoulder and struck a power pole.

Zuniga said the impact caused the pole to fall, pulling energized power lines and other nearby poles down with it. Zuniga said the driver was taken to a Modesto area hospital by ground ambulance with minor to moderate injuries.

Authorities said power is out in the surrounding area, and Shaffer Road is closed between Mercedes Avenue and Palm Avenue. The road is expected to be closed until about 4 a.m. Friday, the CHP said.

According to Zuniga, motorists planning to travel that section of road should seek alternate routes.