Driver on Cell Phone Causes Power Outage on Pine St.

Police were dispatched to Pine St. at 2:45 a.m. on Aug. 28 for a report of a possible drag race that had taken place. It is also believed that one of the vehicles struck a utility pole, causing a power outage in the area.

Upon arrival, Officer Michael Tetrault found residents in the area pointing out the utility pole, which was split in half and held up only by the wires above. Additionally, a transformer that was attached to the pole was leaking oil, which prompted Tetrault to move everyone back and notify Needham FD.

While Needham Fire was arriving, Tetrault searched the area for possible victims and other property damage. He found no vehicles, but did locate a piece of one in the roadway.

Meanwhile, Needham Fire contained most of the oil spill and located additional vehicle parts in the bushes near the downed pole. Information regarding the car parts, which was determined to belong to the front end of a 1992-1997 Ford Crown Victoria, was entered into the system.

NSTAR, Comcast and Verizon also arrived on the scene to work on their services. Clean Harbors took care of the oil spill.

Later that day, at 4:20 p.m., Needham Police found a car matching the Crown Vic. Description in the vicinity of 1095 Great Plain Ave. Officer Leo Schlittler noted in his report that as he approached the operator of the vehicle, the operator became "nervous." The vehicle operator reportedly walked quickly to the passenger side of his car and continuously looked back and forth between Officer Schlittler and the damage on the car.

The man in question next "hurriedly threw down the air hose (in his hand) and moved around to the driver's side of the vehicle," Schlittler wrote. At this time the officer pulled over on Glendoon Rd. with the intention of engaging the man, but the man began to out out of the parking lot. Schlittler quickly got the man to pull back over and he approached the vehicle.

The driver, a 21-year-old Natick man, produced his license and registration and was told about the accident on Pine St. The driver then admitted to striking the utility pole after becoming distracted on his cell phone. He related knowing that he struck something, but that he did not believe it was anything significant.

Police are charging the 21-year-old with leaving the scene of property damage and impeded operation of a motor vehicle.