INUVIK - A driver, now facing charges of impaired driving, crashed into a power pole early Saturday morning, leaving 90 customers without electricity for about four hours.

The incident occurred outside of 40 Mackenzie, which is a residence located beside the Pentecostal church.

Cpl. Dino Norris stands in front of the ruined pickup truck that collided with a power pole. The driver has been charged with impaired driving. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

The four-door Chevy pickup truck ended up in the ditch.

Cpl. Dino Norris of the Inuvik RCMP said a 21-year-old man has been charged with driving under the influence and having a blood-alcohol level over .08.

"He drove into the pole, as a result power was lost for nearly four hours," said Norris.

Norris reported that the man was by himself at the time of the accident and sustained no injuries.

"The vehicle is basically a write-off," said Norris.

NWT Power Corporation regional director Herbert Blake said the truck broke the pole in two upon impact.

"The pole looked like it was cut with a chainsaw," said Blake. "It would have taken some speed for an impact like that."

The pole, which was made of treated cedar, was rooted seven feet into the ground.

"The majority of the customers were back online right away," said Blake. "The repairmen were on the scene almost 15 minutes after the power went out."

Three buildings in the immediate vicinity of the pole took a little longer to fix, said Blake.

Power was returned after a four-hour lapse.

He said the power was fixed, but the entire system needed to be checked before returning to normal.

"After a huge impact like this, we have to check the complete system," said Blake.

He said he commends his workers for being on site so quickly.

"It was handled quickly with their hard work," he said.

Norris said the man involved in the collision will be facing a Territorial court date in the next few months.