Windham drunk driver topples utility pole just before July 4th fireworks show in Naples.

NAPLES–Much of the Lakes Region was in the dark on the evening of July 4 due to a drunk driver who crashed into a utility pole on Route 11 in Naples.

The power outage occurred at 7:30 p.m. as people were gathering in downtown Naples for the annual Fourth of July fireworks display over Long Lake.

In all, 6,581 customers throughout the Lakes Region were affected, Central Maine Power spokeswoman Gail Rice said. By 8:30 p.m., crews were able to restore power to downtown Naples, allaying safety concerns at the popular event, which authorities said had already drawn thousands of people by the time power was restored.

“We were worried about safety, namely street lights and the traffic light at Route 11 and Route 302. We were speaking about contingencies when power came back on,” said Capt. Don Goulet of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.

According to Rice, the downed utility pole tripped three separate circuits serving parts of the towns of Naples, Casco, Harrison, Raymond, Sebago and Otisfield. But by midnight, crews had restored power to all areas.

The driver of the vehicle that struck the utility pole on Route 11, Dustin Paul Heath, 25, of Lakeside Drive, Windham, received minor injuries and refused medical treatment from Naples Fire/Rescue.

Heath was driving a 2003 Chevy 2500 pick-up truck when he lost control traveling at a high rate of speed in the area of 146 Casco Road (Route 11). He was charged with operating under the influence and posted $2,500 bail at Cumberland County Jail later that night. He faces an Aug. 17 arraignment in Bridgton District Court.