Chilliwack RCMP have released the name of a man charged in the single-vehicle accident last week that knocked out power to parts of the downtown.
Thirtysix-year-old Nelson Thomas Evans has been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, impaired driving, and leaving the scene of an accident.
Just after 9 a.m. last Thursday a vehicle plowed into a concrete hydro pole, cutting power to businesses in the area for several hours, including the Chilliwack courthouse.
Despite a significant impact, the driver fled the scene.
Several witnesses to the crash described the driver to the police who later located the man and subsequently arrested him.
"A big thank you to the several witnesses in the area at the time of the crash. If it wasn't for them we may not have located the driver as quickly," says Corporal Tammy Hollingsworth. "This is yet another example of how the public assisted the police and how the people are the eyes and ears of the community."
Evans has been in custody since the incident and will remain in custody until his next appearance on Sept. 25.