Wrong-way driver hits pole, causes lengthy power outage at Valley Metro light rail station

PHOENIX — Phoenix police are investigating after a wrong-way driver hit an electric pole near a Valley Metro light rail station early Sunday morning and caused a lengthy power outage.

Officers around 3 a.m. responded to the area of 17th and Washington streets for reports of a single-vehicle collision. The driver got out of the car and fled the scene prior to their arrival, according to the Phoenix Police Department.

The driver had been traveling eastbound on a westbound street before crashing into a pole that helps power the light rail.

Because the outage affected Valley Metro light rail service at 24th and Washington streets and 12th and Washington streets, the public transit agency announced on X around 6:45 a.m. that westbound riders had to use the stations at 24th and Jefferson streets and 12th and Jefferson streets “until further notice.”

Trains operating from Washington Street resumed regular service around 9:15 a.m., according to Valley Metro. Other westbound trains along the route were still experiencing delays of up to 25 minutes due to the lingering effects of the power outage.

Light rail workers are actively repairing the damage and it will take several more hours to fully fix, police said.

No other information was provided as police investigate this incident.

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