Utility pole taken out, OWI arrest made in crash
A Mount Hope man crashed early Sunday morning in the town of Bridgeport, striking a utility pole and narrowly missing a fire hydrant. The incident resulted in an arrest for OWI and failure to maintain control.
According to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department, just before 12:55 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, a one-vehicle crash on East Lapointe Street at U.S. Highway 18 was reported.
Paul Bakkum, 31, of Mount Hope, was operating a 2008 Pontiac G6 east on East Lapointe Street and attempting to make a right turn onto Highway 18, when he failed to negotiate the curve and drove over the curb in the grass on the south shoulder of the roadway. Bakkum’s vehicle then struck a utility pole and spun 90 degrees, barely missing a fire hydrant.
While investigating the crash, it was found that alcohol was a factor. Bakkum was subsequently arrested for OWI first offense and cited for failure to maintain control.
Bakkum had very minor injuries. The vehicle sustained moderate damage. The Prairie du Chien Police Department, Bob’s Towing and Alliant Energy assisted at the scene.