San Rafael police says DUI crash downs power pole

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. -- A DUI crash Saturday morning in San Rafael downed a power pole, closing a portion of Francisco Boulevard East, police said.

Lakiya Striplin, 36, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, police said.

Officers with the San Rafael Police Department responded at 2:40 a.m. to a call of a vehicle that crashed into a power pole on Francisco Boulevard East near Castro Street.

Officers arrived on the scene and located a vehicle that completely sheared off a power pole.

Police said the driver, identified as Striplin was determined to be too intoxicated to operate a motor vehicle.

Striplin was not injured in the crash.

PG&E responded to the scene and determined the power pole would need to be replaced, so power was shut off to the surrounding area, police said.

The repairs should be completed by 3 p.m. today.

Francisco Boulevard East between Bellam Boulevard and Irene Street is closed pending the completion of repairs, police said.

Drivers are asked to avoid the area and use alternate routes.