UPDATED: Crash closed section of Route 1 in Mystic on Sunday

Joe Wojtas, The Day, New London, Conn.
·1 min read

Jun. 20—MYSTIC — An early morning crash in which a pickup truck driven by an allegedly intoxicated driver struck a utility pole and rolled onto its side closed a section of Route 1 across from the Big Y supermarket through much of Sunday afternoon.

The road was reopened later Sunday afternoon after repairs were made to the damaged pole and wires.

Police said the driver, John R. Epley, 30, of 5 Vine St., Pawcatuck, was injured in the 2:55 a.m. crash in the front yard of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3263 and taken to the hospital for treatment of non life-threatening injuries. Epley was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and failure to drive right. He was released on a $600 non surety bond. Epley was also charged by Stonington police in 2015 with driving under the influence.

Route 1 was was closed from Cove Road to Masons Island Road with cars being detoured around the crash scene. One utility pole was damaged and power lines were hanging over the street. Crews from Eversource and Comcast went to the scene to make repairs. Power did get knocked out for some customers in the area.