A crash into a power pole in Morongo Valley closed State Route 62 in both directions this morning. The California Highway Patrol said at about 5:10 a.m. a 2007 Saturn Sky heading eastbound on Highway 62 crashed into a power pole at Scholl Drive. The crash brought live power lines down across all lanes of the highway, closing it in both directions. The driver of the crashed vehicle—a 20-year-old Marine named Tyler Ochsner—called 911 to report the crash, and then left the scene so that he would not be late for work. Ochsner was subsequently brought back to the scene of the crash. Neither drugs nor alcohol are suspected to be a factor in the crash. The district attorney’s office will review the case to determine if charges should be brought. The crash also caused a power outage in the west end of Yucca Valley, parts of Morongo Valley, and caused a small brush fire. The highway was closed for about two hours until Edison crews arrived about 7 a.m. and cleared the lines. Edison estimates residential power should be restored by about noon.
