(La Porte, IN) - Police say alcohol was a factor in a utility pole being knocked over recently outside La Porte.

Caleb Kirkham, 21, is charged with Operating While Intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident for striking a NIPSCO pole about 10 p.m. on August 15 on County Road 250 South just west of U.S. 35. 

Police said an officer followed a trail of fluid leaking from the car and found Kirkham at his home in the nearby Nowak subdivision. He was allegedly getting out of the vehicle missing its front bumper and sustaining other heavy front-end damage.

Police said Kirkham had a blood alcohol level over twice the legal limit. He was not injured.