Cars catch fire after driver crashes into Vista power pole

Multiple vehicles caught fire after a car slammed into a power pole on a Vista street Monday morning, a sheriff’s lieutenant said.

The crash happened just before 6:15 a.m. on Emerald Drive near Promenade Circle, about a half-mile north of state Route 78, Lt. Nick Backouris said.

The site is near the city’s border with Oceanside, and Backouris said Oceanside police were first to arrive on scene. Officers detained the 31-year-old driver, who Backouris said was later arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. He was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries sustained during the crash, the lieutenant said.

Backouris said four vehicles were towed from the crash scene. Emerald was closed for at least hours for the cleanup and investigation.