Police: DUI driver hits pole, knocks out power in Santa Cruz

UPDATE: Soquel Avenue was re-opened Friday evening, about 1,200 people in the area were without power for most of the day and some construction crews were still on scene as of this update.

11:49am: Santa Cruz Police say they arrested Jose Diaz for DUI and not having a license early Friday morning after the car hit a power pole just before midnight Thursday night.

The solo vehicle accident closed Soquel Avenue between Park and Trevethan all morning as PG&E crews worked to replace the pole and restore power to the businesses and homes in the area.

County dispatchers said the traffic is a mess in the area and are asking people to avoid the area and to use the detours listed below:

Westbound Soquel: Right on Park Way, left on Almena, left onto Trevethan back to Soquel Ave.

Eastbound Soquel: Left on Trevethan, right on Almena and right onto Park Way back to Soquel.