Watch Calif. Police Face Sparking Power Lines after DUI Crash

Fountain Valley police encountered a potentially dangerous light show when overhead power lines sparked as officers approached a suspected impaired driver who crashed into an electrical pole.

Joe Vince

Nov. 20, 2025

2 min read

What to know

• Fountain Valley police encountered a DUI suspect who crashed into an electrical pole Sunday, causing power lines to spark dangerously as officers approached the wreck.

• Body camera footage shows an officer moving toward the smoking vehicle when an electrical bolt flashes from the damaged lines, prompting warnings about the hazards officers face during DUI-related crashes.

• No serious injuries were reported, but the collision caused local power and internet outages.

Overhead power lines spark and flash as Fountain Valley police officers approached an alleged impaired driver who crashed into an electrical pole Sunday.

Sparks flew, literally, for California police officers after a DUI suspect crashed into an electrical pole earlier this week.

The dangerous light show happened just after 3 p.m. Sunday as Fountain Valley police came upon a driver accused of driving under the influence and crashing into an electrical pole, the department stated on social media. Body camera footage included in the post shows the aftermath of the crash, with the suspect's smoking vehicle on the roadside and an electrical pole twisted from the impact.

In the video, an officer approaches the vehicle with gun drawn. But before he can reach the driver, an electrical bolt flashes and sparks from the damaged power lines overhead.

"This serves as a stark reminder not only of the potentially deadly consequences of reckless/drunk driving, but also the dangerous situations our officers often find themselves in while protecting and serving our community," the department stated. "Thankfully no one was seriously injured, and the suspect miraculously only sustained some scratches and a dislocated toe."

Although no one was injured, the incident did cause electrical and internet outages in the area.

About the Author

Joe Vince

Joining Endeavor Business Media in 2018, Joe has worked on the company's city services publications. He began working at OFFICER.com as the assistant editor. Before starting at Endeavor, Joe had worked for a variety of print and online news outlets, including the Indianapolis Star, the South Bend Tribune, Reddit and Patch.com.