Man Atop Utility Pole Dies After Vehicle Crash In Riverside

RIVERSIDE, CA — A man who was seemingly atop a utility pole died in the early hours Sunday after a vehicle collision brought him down in Riverside.

The crash happened just before 4 a.m. Sunday near Avalon Street and 36th Street in Jurupa Valley, according to the Riverside Sheriff's Office.

Arriving deputies discovered the man in the roadway with climbing gear and equipment attached to a broken utility pole.

The involved vehicle was parked along the roadway with collision damage, and officials say the driver remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.

The deputies determined the driver became entangled in a low-hanging cable, snapping the utility pole and bringing it to the ground with the man attached.

The man was pronounced deceased at the scene, and his identity was being withheld pending notification to next of kin.

It was unclear why he was connected to the utility pole.

The collision was under investigation but authorities did not believe alcohol or drugs were factors in the collision.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has any information was asked to contact Deputy Petersen at 951-955-2600 or the RSO dispatch at 951-776-1099.

— City News Service