Motorist Swerves to Avoid Downed Power Lines, Crashes

A motorist suffered minor injuries after swerving to avoid downed power lines at a Dana Point intersection and crashing amid a power outage, crashed, resulting in a minor injury, while the area endured a power an Orange County sheriff's lieutenant said today.

The power lines were down on Via Canon, just south of the Camino Las Ramblas exit from the Santa Ana (5) Freeway at 10:15 p.m. Saturday, said Orange County sheriff's Lt. John Roche.

"Cars were swerving and one car crashed," Roche said. One of the parties involved suffered a minor elbow injury.

The crash closed the freeway off-ramp, Camino Las Ramblas and Via Canon, Roche said.

During this time, San Diego Gas and Electric noted two power outages in the area on its website. One affected 2,039 customers in Dana Point, Capistrano Beach and San Juan Capistrano and the other affected 369 customers in communities near  the crash site.

The utility expected to have power restored in the early morning hours, according to its website.

--City News Service