(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County Police say a man who snapped a utility pole in half with his vehicle Tuesday was impaired.

 

Kiven Francis, 62, of Rolling Prairie is charged with Level 6 felony operating while intoxicated.

 

Police said Francis struck the NIPSCO pole about 10:30 a.m. in the area of Schultz Road and 400 West.  Upon arrival, emergency responders discovered two halves of the utility pole on the roof of his pick-up truck and low hanging wires above the roadway.

 

Police said Francis told investigators he just left a bar in downtown La Porte where he was shooting pool.  His alleged blood alcohol level was .144 percent.

 

The charge was upgraded to a felony due to Francis having a prior OWI conviction from 2021, police said.