Centralia Police say four occupants of a car were stuck in the vehicle for more than an hour after hitting a power pole and knocking the pole and power lines onto the car.
The incident occurred in the 1700 block of West McCord Street around five Monday morning.
The driver, 33-year-old Tia Robertson of Ridge Road in Carlyle, was arrested for aggravated driving under the influence, improper lane usage, driving too fast for conditions, and two counts of child endangerment.
Police say Robertson had hit a mailbox on the other side of West McCord before swerving across the highway and striking the power pole.
Robertson along with an adult passenger, 38-year-old Matthew Mohr of Pinckneyville, and two four-year-old twins were trapped in the car for about an hour and 15 minutes before Ameren crews were able to cut off power to the line that was arcing. Once the lines were deactivated they were all able to get out of the car. Mohr was taken to SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital for treatment. After he was released, police arrested him for violation of an order of protection that was protecting Robertson and two four-year-olds.
Both Robertson and Mohr were taken to the Clinton County Jail at Carlyle, while the four-year-old twins were picked up by a family member.
The crash also brought down the main power lines further east on McCord Street resulting in power being turned off to everyone on the line west of Walmart until repairs were completed around 11:15 Monday morning. At that time, McCord Street was also reopened.
