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Azusa Today
By the People, for the People
One Dead After Car Crashes into Pole Near Dos Palos, Leaving Many Without Power
Highway 33 was shut down for hours as crews worked to restore electricity to affected customers.
Mar. 2, 2026 at 7:47pm
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A fatal car crash in Merced County, California, has left one person dead and many without power after a vehicle slammed into a power pole on Highway 33 near Dos Palos. The impact caused a widespread power outage, and authorities had to shut down the highway for several hours as utility crews worked to restore service, which is not expected to be fully back until around 9 p.m.
Why it matters
Power outages can have significant impacts on communities, disrupting daily life and causing inconvenience and potential safety issues. This incident highlights the importance of infrastructure maintenance and the need for emergency response plans to quickly address such situations.
The details
According to the California Highway Patrol, the crash occurred on Highway 33 at Cypress Road north of Dos Palos. The impact of the vehicle striking the power pole caused a widespread power outage, forcing authorities to shut down the highway from Azusa Avenue to Eucalyptus Road for several hours. Utility crews continued working through the afternoon to restore service, but officials estimate that power will not be fully restored until around 9 p.m. The CHP has not released details on what caused the crash or the identity of the person killed.
- The crash occurred early Sunday morning.
- Highway 33 was shut down for several hours after the incident.
- Utility crews worked through the afternoon to restore power.
- Officials estimate power will not be fully restored until around 9 p.m.
The players
California Highway Patrol
The state law enforcement agency investigating the crash.
What’s next
The CHP investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
The takeaway
This incident underscores the importance of maintaining critical infrastructure and having emergency response plans in place to quickly address power outages and other disruptions that can impact local communities.
