Suspected drunk driver takes out power in Clayton

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Saturday, July 30, 2016
Drunk driver knocks out Clayton power
A suspected drunk driver knocked out power for hundreds in Clayton

CLAYTON, N.C. (WTVD) -- A suspected drunk driver took out power to more than 1,000 homes and businesses in Clayton on Friday night.

Clayton police said just before 8 p.m., 46-year-old David Michael Onan veered off U.S. 70 Business and slammed into a massive power box.

Onan, of Winston Road in Clayton, was not seriously injured. He is charged with DWI, failure to maintain lane, and injury to real property.

Police said Onan was taken to the Johnston County jail and placed under a $3,000 secured bond.

Stacy Beard with the Town of Clayton said the power box Onan destroyed helps provide electricity to more than 1,000 Clayton Public Power customers, including a large senior apartment community.

Beard said several Duke Energy commercial customers were also in the dark after the crash.

All power should be restored at this time.

If you remain without electricity and are a Town of Clayton Public Power customer, please call (919) 553-1530. If you are a Duke Energy customer, their hotline is 1-800-419-6356.

"Town of Clayton is keeping track of the expenses associated with this massive emergency repair so that the person responsible for the damage that caused the accident can be billed for the cost to taxpayers," Beard said.

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