Repairs are underway at a vital commuter intersection in downtown San Rafael after an alleged DUI driver crashed through a traffic signal and took out a traffic signal control box Tuesday evening, according to authorities.
The San Rafael Police Department responded around 8 p.m. to a solo-vehicle collision at the intersection of Second and B streets. Arriving officers found a crashed pickup truck and significant damage to surrounding property, police said.
“The pickup truck had veered onto the north sidewalk of Second Street and collided with a streetlight, multiple trees, a traffic signal pole, and completely took out the traffic signal control box,” San Rafael PD said. The driver of the truck, who was not identified by police, allegedly tried to flee the scene but was stopped and arrested by the responding officers.
The driver was booked into the Marin County Jail and “will face criminal charges and be held liable for the resulting damages,” police said.
No one was injured in the crash.
According to authorities, the intersection is “part of a significant commuter corridor.” While San Rafael Public Works and its contractor are fixing the signal lights, the intersection is functioning with a flashing red light.
“Drivers are required to treat a red flashing traffic signal light as a stop sign, come to a complete stop, be aware of cross traffic, yield to pedestrians, and proceed only when it is safe to do so,” police said.
Repairs are expected to take more than one day, SRPD said.