By: Emily Craighead
PLAINSBORO A large portion of the township lost power for about an hour Wednesday night after a vehicle knocked over a utility pole connected to electric and utility lines on Grovers Mill Road, igniting two fires.
Pravinkum Patel, 44, of South Brunswick was charged with driving while intoxicated after he fell asleep at the wheel, crossed over the opposing lane and struck three street signs before knocking over the utility pole, police said. He was not injured.
The Plainsboro Fire and Rescue squads, PSE&G, Comcast, Verizon and Plainsboro Public Works responded to the scene.
Power to the lines was cut so a fire could be extinguished, and the burning wires caused a 25-foot slice in the road.
The road was closed for about 12 hours while the lines were restored and the roadway patched.

