A 36-year-old Arnold man was arrested at his home for allegedly fleeing the scene after crashing the pickup he was driving into an Ameren utility pole, causing about $12,000 in damage to the pole. The incident happened about 4:15 a.m. April 7 on Arnold Tenbrook Road near Cliff Drive, Arnold Police reported.
A 1997 Ford F-250 reportedly ran off the side of the road there and struck the utility pole, and then the driver allegedly ran away, leaving the pickup behind. Police allegedly found a clear plastic bag containing a white, crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine on the driver-side floorboard of the pickup, which was extensively damaged, the report said.
The driver was tracked to his home in the 2400 block of Starling Airport Road, and he did not appear injured. He was arrested and taken to the Police Station, where he was booked and later released pending application for warrants, according to the report.
Depending on the drug analysis, Arnold Police will seek charges against the man through the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for leaving the scene of an accident, possession of a controlled substance and driving without insurance, Lt. Clinton Wooldridge said.
The accident did not cause any Ameren customers to lose power. However, four customers were without power from 9 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. while Ameren repaired the pole, a company spokesman said April 9.