UPDATE: Driver in Pt. Reyes-Petaluma Road Car Crash Arrested for DUI

UPDATE: Sunday, 9 a.m. Sept. 8, 2013

By Bay City News Service

A driver involved in a crash Saturday morning that injured two bicyclists and knocked over a power pole in Marin County was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The driver, 34-year-old Joseph Fechter of Point Reyes, was driving west on Point Reyes-Petaluma Road around 9:10 a.m. east of Hicks Valley road when he approached a group of three bicyclists in the road, Officer Andrew Barclay said.

As he passed the cyclists to the left he allegedly sideswiped one of them, but that rider sustained only minor injuries and was able to keep riding, Barclay said. After that collision, Fechter allegedly kept driving and swerving, and then went off the road and struck a power pole, Barclay said.

The pole split in half, knocking the top half and live power lines into the road. One bicyclist was unable to stop in time and struck the downed pole, sustaining moderate injuries.

Both Fechter and the second injured cyclist were taken to hospitals for treatment of their injuries.

After an interview with investigating officers, Fechter was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

The road remained closed as of around 6 p.m. Saturday while PG&E worked to repair the power pole and clear the roadway.

ORIGINAL STORY: Saturday, 4:40 p.m. Sept. 7, 2013

BY BAY CITY NEWS SERVICE

A busy roadway in unincorporated Marin County near Novato is closed due to downed power lines from an earlier crash that caused multiple injuries, according to a California Highway Patrol officer.

Around 9:10 a.m., a car drove into a power pole near the intersection of Point Reyes Petaluma Road and Novato Boulevard, bringing power lines down across the roadway, CHP Officer Andrew Barclay said.

A bicyclist was apparently struck by the car during the crash and a second cyclist appears to have fallen after colliding with a downed power line, according to the CHP.

The cyclists and the driver of the car were taken to hospitals with minor to moderate injuries, according to the CHP.

A roughly three-mile stretch of Point Reyes Petaluma Road between Novato Boulevard and McEvoy Ranch was shut down due to the downed power lines and crash scene, according to the CHP.

Barclay said there was no estimate for when the roadway would reopen and advised motorists to avoid the area.

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