Stolen dump truck hits power lines, knocks out electricity on Industrial Boulevard; driver arrested for DUI

Published 9:30 pm Friday, December 6, 2024

A man who allegedly stole a dump truck while drunk got entangled on overhead utility lines on Industrial Boulevard early Saturday morning, knocking out power to the area for what officials estimate will be about 10 hours, according to police and utility officials.

Phillip Abeyta, 31, was arrested and held without bail following the collision at about 4:15 a.m. in the 2500 block of Industrial Boulevard, according to an information release by the Juneau Police Department. The release states utility lines and poles sustained substantial damage, and the street was closed as of Saturday morning between Glacier Highway and Bentwood Place.

“The combined damage to the truck and utilities is estimated to be over $100,000,” the release states, adding “utility crews are currently on scene working to restore utilities to the area and it is estimated that the work will take at least 8-10 hours.”

Alaska Electric Light & Power, in a post on its Facebook page about an hour after the collision, stated “a commercial heavy duty vehicle made contact with our power lines and took out two power poles on Industrial Blvd.”

“This is going to be a lengthy repair,” the post states. “Customers on Industrial Blvd are likely going to be without power for upwards of 10 to 12 hours as our crew works to set new poles on frozen ground and hang new conductor.”

The power was restored to affected areas by mid-afternoon Saturday.

Abeyta was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (a Class A misdemeanor), first-degree vehicle theft (a Class C felony) and third-degree criminal mischief (a Class C felony), according to JPD. He was taken to Lemon Creek Correctional Center.

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 957-2306.