A power cut in Upper Hutt tonight was caused by a car travelling at excessive speed and then crashing in Henry Street, police say.
A 26-year-old man is being spoken to by police after he lost control of the car he was driving and crashed into a power pole, causing extensive damage.
Excessive speed is believed to have been a factor in the collision, with witnesses saying they could hear the vehicle accelerating along the street, police said.
The same car was believed to have been involved in boy racer activity the previous night, the police statement said.
Putting aside the inconvenience this man has caused residents, this could have turned out to be a fatal incident, said Senior Sergeant Pat Thomas.
"Speed kills and driving like an idiot not only puts himself and his passenger lives at risk but also other road users and members of the public.''