Philippe Morin
Northern News Services
Monday, June 4, 2007

TUKTOYAKTUK - People in Tuktoyaktuk are talking about a strange and dangerous crash, which happened in the early morning hours of May 27.

According to RCMP, an intoxicated man driving a pickup truck knocked over a power line, causing a blackout.

But then, before fleeing the scene, he attempted to set fire to his truck.

"He is actually charged with attempted arson on the truck that he was driving," confirmed RCMP Cst.. Chris Pittman.

Pittman declined to comment any further, saying the case is still being investigated.

The 37-year-old man is also charged with Impaired Driving, Mischief Exceeding $5,000, three counts of failing to comply with a Recognizance and two counts of assault.

RCMP would not say who the man is alleged to have assaulted, though Pittman confirmed it was not police officers.

The Northwest Territories Power Corporation repaired the broken power lines, and electricity was restored within 10 hours of the crash.