Deputies: DUII driver nearly set off natural gas explosion

Deputies: DUII driver nearly set off natural gas explosion

A pickup truck burns on the grounds of a Sauvie Island natural gas station after hitting a utility pole and crashing through a fence. The driver was hurt.

By Derek Sciba and KATU Web Staff

SAUVIE ISLAND, Ore. - A man deputies say was driving drunk crashed his pickup truck into a power pole at a natural gas substation on Sauvie Island Friday evening, nearly setting off an explosion.

The power pole fell onto the substation ground near active gas lines, pulling live power lines with it as it fell. Workers say a gas line was breached in the crash.

The truck caught fire and fire crews kept their distance and let the truck burn while the situation was assessed. Northwest Natural crews waited until morning to approach the crash site. The site is run by the Williams Northwest company.

Crews did turn off the flow of gas after the accident as a precaution, leaving 101 Sauvie Island customers without gas service overnight. No other areas were affected.

Airspace over the island was restricted after the accident. Commercial airliners often make landing approaches to nearby Portland International Airport at low altitude over the island.

Police say the driver, identified as Charles Murr, is suspected of being intoxicated when the crash happened. Murr also has an extensive criminal record including convictions for assault, menacing and resisting arrest. He is also a registered sex offender.

Murr lives on Sauvie Island. He was reportedly injured in the crash but the extent of his injuries and his condition were not released.

A Northwest Natural spokesperson said they expect the truck to be cleared and service restored to the island on Saturday.

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