400 customers lose power after car crash near Soldotna

ANCHORAGE — Alaska State Troopers have arrested a driver suspected of crashing his car into a light pole and knocking out power to 400 customers near Soldotna.

Troopers say 36-year-old Jerry Dourney is being held on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, filing a false report, criminal mischief and failure to give immediate notice of an accident.

Troopers at 5 a.m. Tuesday took a call from Dourney stating that his car had been stolen from a grocery store parking lot.

Minutes later, dispatchers took a report that the car had struck a power pole and was on fire near Mile 12 Funny River Road, close to where it’s registered.

Troopers contacted Dourney at his home. He was arrested and jailed at Wildwood Pretrial in Kenai.

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