Drunk Driver Crashes Into Anti-Drinking Sign in Aloha

The accident knocked out power to parts of the Aloha area, and SW Tualatin Valley Highway was closed for several hours.

Photo: Washington County Sheriff's Office

(ALOHA, Ore.) - Power in parts of the Aloha area was knocked out Sunday after a 45-year-old woman struck a power pole and sheered it off at the base. The driver was arrested for DUII.

Officials say that about 2:30 PM, a 2005 Jeep was traveling east on SW Tualatin Valley (TV) Highway near SW 198th Avenue in Aloha when it left the roadway and crashed into a power pole.

The impact sheered off the pole at the base and caused power lines to come down across SW Tualatin Valley Highway. Washington County Sheriff's Deputies responded to the scene along with Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue.

Deputies investigating the crash determined that the driver, 45-year old Maura Steele of Portland, was driving recklessly on SW TV Highway when she left the roadway.

She crashed into a "don't drink and drive" sign and then a power pole. After striking the pole she traveled approximately 300 feet before stopping her car. She was not injured in the crash.

Deputies arrested Mrs. Steele for DUII and Reckless Driving. She was booked into the Washington County Jail.

SW TV Highway was closed for several hours while PGE crews replaced the pole and restored power to the area.