A Red Level man was arrested Friday after allegedly causing the town to be without power for more than eight hours on the New Year’s holiday.

Steven Dewayne Ward was taken into custody and charged with driving under the influence of a controlled substance, said Red Level Police Chief Howard West.

“Evidently, Mr. Ward came up Main Street at a high rate of speed and made a right turn on Barrow Road, which is where he lives,” West said. “When he made the turn, the vehicle came off the left side of the road and hit a power pole and then he hit a second pole.”

West said Ward, who was uninjured and walked away from the accident, leaving his vehicle at the scene, was also issued several traffic citations following his arrest.

West said power was out from approximately 11:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve until 7:45 a.m. on New Year’s Day.