An alleged drunk driver almost crashed into an off-duty police officer before crashing into a power pole.
The crash on Pukehangi Rd yesterday at 6.30am led to an almost six-hour power outage to more than 200 properties in the Pukehangi area.
Rotorua police acting road policing manager Sergeant Lee Stringer said a 20-year-old Rotorua man crashed a Ford Territory into the pole and knocked it down.
"In the process he narrowly missed an off-duty police officer on his way to work," Mr Stringer said.
The man was arrested at the scene and taken to the police station.
He had an excess breath alcohol reading of 722 micrograms per litre of breath. The legal limit is 400.
Fire and ambulance crews were also sent to the scene but there were no injuries.
Mr Stringer said police investigations were continuing and they had not ruled out the possibility of further charges.
The power pole was a feeder to the Clayton Rd area.