Man Falls Asleep at Wheel, But is OK After Knocking Down Power Pole

A man fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into a power pole early this morning, but "amazingly" walked away without injuries, a King County sheriff's spokesman said.

Power has been out since then to about 54 Puget Sound Energy customers, but a spokeswoman there said it should be restored by 12:30 today.

Sheriff's spokesman Travis DeFries said it probably saved the man's life being asleep.

"We've seen some horrendous collisions ... being so lucid and fluid. They don't tense up," and they are OK, he said. "I've seen it, but I wouldn't want to test it."

DeFries said the sheriff's department received a call about 1:44 a.m. from someone who lives in the area. Her husband was running to the site to check on injuries. The driver had knocked over the power pole, but was up talking. An aid car was called, but the driver was fine.

The accident occurred about six miles northwest of Enumclaw at Southeast 400th Street and 226th Avenue Southeast.

The damage was so extensive that PSE crews had to replace the entire pole and equipment, which took several hours, the PSE spokeswoman said.