DOWNEY (CNS) - A woman swerving to avoid an oncoming car sheered-off a utility pole and fire hydrant, damaging a water main and causing a 20-foot sinkhole on a Downey street, authorities said today.
The crash took place about 9:50 p.m. Saturday at Rieves Avenue and Brunache Street, Downey police Sgt. Vince Rosario said. But electricity was out until Sunday night and water was just turned on this morning when the water main was repaired.
The 50-year-old woman was southbound on Rieves Avenue when an oncoming vehicle swerved toward her, the sergeant said. She swerved to avoid a crash and struck a utility pole and fire hydrant, shearing both and causing a water main to burst under the hydrant.
The woman was not injured, he said.
“They couldn't turn off the water for several hours,” Rosario said. That caused the ground around the burst pipe to give way.
Crews worked around the clock to make repairs, he said.
The last work left to do was to fill in the sinkhole, repair the pavement and restore the damaged driveway of one home, Rosario said.
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