Hit-and-run blamed for power outage

WASILLA — Valley residents who woke up Sunday with clocks to reset can thank a hit-and-run motorist.

Matanuska Electric Association estimates that more than 10,000 customers were without power for a brief span in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

“We consider that a very large outage,” utility spokeswoman Lorali Carter said.

According to a press release penned by Alaska State Trooper Sgt. Steve Adams, at about 2:59 a.m. Sunday morning a trooper out on patrol spotted a cloud of snow followed by a bright flash of light at the intersection of Bogard Road and Seward Meridian Parkway.

Adams wrote that a few seconds later when the officer got to the intersection it was apparent a vehicle had left the road and hit a light pole that then fell onto a power line.

The vehicle, however, was nowhere to be found.

Troopers are looking for whomever is responsible and ask anyone with information to call them at 745-2131 or Mat-Su Crime Stoppers at 745-2323.

If found, the person could face civil action from MEA. Carter said the utility does seek damages in such cases.

“Absolutely,” she said. “Anytime there’s a car-pole accident MEA works toward getting reimbursed for the accident.”

Carter said the damage blew a breaker in an MEA substation, tripping a bunch of their lines.

“Within about an hour to an hour and a half we had most everyone back up,” she said.

As of Monday morning, Carter said a final damage tally had not been reached but it could stretch into the tens of thousands of dollars if the breaker in question has to be replaced.

“I don’t know if that means $10,000 or $90,000,” she said. “Our crew is assessing the damage to see if it can be repaired or if the equipment has to be replaced.”