A Bayville man was arrested for driving under the influence after he crashed his pickup truck into a utility pole and caused power outages in Toms River on Monday afternoon.

According to Toms River police, Richard Heaney, 56, was driving east on Water Street around 3:30 PM when he lost control of his vehicle and hit a utility pole before coming to rest in a parking lot on E. Water Street. The crash’s impact brought down the pole and several cable/power lines, tangled around his truck and burned the roadway.

Heaney was not injured in the crash but was taken into custody and charged with careless driving, reckless driving, failure to maintain a lane, and driving under the influence. He was released pending a court date.

The crash resulted in widespread power outages in the area, affecting traffic lights and businesses. Emergency crews from the police, EMS, fire, and utility departments responded to the scene and are expected to work throughout the night to restore power and clear the road.

The accident is under investigation by Toms River Traffic Safety Officer Ryan Fitzgerald. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has any information is asked to contact him at 732-349-0150 ext. 1309 or by email at [email protected].