Chowchilla power outage was caused by crash involving DUI driver, police say

A man was arrested early Thursday morning on suspicion of DUI after his vehicle crashed into a PG&E box, causing a power outage to a large part of Chowchilla, police say.

Just after 12 a.m. officers responded to the collision in the area of Montgomery Lake Way and East Robertson Boulevard, according to Cmdr. Jeff Palmer.

Palmer said a citizen called in the crash after hearing it and observing the power outage.

Officers arrived and located the SUV that had struck a ground-level PG&E power box. Palmer said the ground was still charged when PG&E arrived on scene and the vehicle was eventually towed away after the power was safely turned off.

Palmer said alcohol is suspected as a factor in the collision. The driver, Jason Spleiss, 42, of Tracy, was arrested and booked into Madera County Jail on suspicion of felony driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage and driving with .08% blood alcohol content.

Authorities said Spleiss was not injured in the collision.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the Chowchilla Police Department at 559-665-8600 and ask for Sgt. Daniel Denny.