ORANGE, Texas — A Beaumont man was arrested after his pickup truck struck an Entergy sub-station early Friday morning in Orange, causing more than 800 Entergy customers to lose electricity.
The preliminary investigation reveals that at approximately 3:10 a.m., a 2015 Chevrolet pickup was traveling east on Irving Street.
It is reported that the driver ran the stop sign at the intersection of Farm-to-Market Road 1006, causing him to travel through the fence and damage the Adam’s Bayou Entergy sub-station, according to a news release from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The driver is identified as Jose Torres, 40, of Beaumont. Torres was treated for minor injuries at Port Arthur Medical Center and then placed under arrest.
He was charged for failing to comply with requirements on striking a structure and criminal trespass, which are both misdemeanor offenses, according to the release.
Torres is being held on a $3,000 bond, according to jail records.
Jail records also state he was charged with a federal offense, which currently has no bond amount listed.
The truck caused extensive damage to the substation which will require some long-term repairs, according to a news release from Entergy Texas.
Entergy customers in the area may have power interruptions during the next few days as the repairs are made.
Entergy says it will work to minimize those interruptions.
You can visit Entergy's outage map online to track the outage and view restoral times.
MORE | Entergy Outage Map
Restoration times are estimates only according to the Entergy website.
"Indication that power is restored to your area does not guarantee your house/business has power. We cannot restore power to structures with damaged electrical equipment," according to Entergy.
Here’s some tips from the Entergy website on how to stay safe during an outage…
- Create an emergency preparedness kit, including a flashlight, batteries, and first aid supplies.
- Maintain supplies of healthy and filling snacks that don't require refrigeration, such as dried fruits, nuts and protein bars.
- Make sure you have alternative charging methods for your phone or any device that requires power.
- Purchase ice or freeze water-filled plastic containers to help keep food cold during a temporary power outage.
- Learn about the emergency plans established in your area by contacting your state or local emergency management agency.
- If you rely on anything that's battery-operated or power dependent, such as a medical device, have a backup plan.
- Maintain backup generators according to manufacturers' recommendations and store an adequate supply of fuel in a safe place.
During an outage, disconnect or switch off appliances and electronic equipment that were running when the power went out. Avoid opening refrigerators and freezers to save cold air and preserve food longer.
Generators | Operate backup generators safely by following manufacturer's instructions. Don't attempt to connect your generator to the electrical system; it can backfeed to outdoor utility lines and injure or kill utility service personnel. An automatic transfer switch — installed by a qualified electrician — will help to ensure safe operation. Learn more here.
Refrigerated foods | Discard any perishable items in your refrigerator or freezer that may not be safe to consume. A refrigerator keeps food at a safe temperature for up to four hours during a power outage if it remains closed. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends discarding foods such as meat, poultry and eggs if they've been above 40°F for more than two hours. Learn more here.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.