Driver flees scene of collision at Portsmouth and King St W

A 31-year-old Yarker man is facing charges after a collision at the intersection of King Street West and Portsmouth Avenue caused damage to a hydro pole and power lines. The collision took place shortly after 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, and the driver failed the remain at the scene.

According to Kingston Police, a black Dodge Journey struck a hydro pole at the intersection, causing the pole and power lines to fall into the road along King Street West. Following the initial collision, a black Ford F-150 truck, with no connection to the Dodge Journey or its driver, struck the difficult to see hydro lines.

Constable Ash Gutheinz, Media Relations Officer for Kingston Police, said the lone female driver of the truck was uninjured, but was stuck in her vehicle for some time, due to the danger of electrocution. She remained there until it was deemed safe by Utilities Kingston, then was safely extricated, he said.

“The accused male, who was the lone driver of the Journey, fled the scene, but was located in Lake Ontario Park matching the description given by witnesses,” Gutheinz told Kingstonist in an email. “He was arrested without incident and later provided breath samples indicating he had more than twice the legal limit of alcohol in his system.”

The Yarker man is facing charges for impaired driving, excess alcohol while driving, and failing to remain at the scene of a collision, according to Kingston Police.