Some Turlock residents may be without power for four hours today, after a vehicle collided with a power pole near the intersection of East and Minaret avenues this morning.

The outage comes as temperatures are expected to hit 97 degrees today. Those with electricity-reliant medical equipment are advised to call the Turlock Fire Department for immediate assistance, at 209-668-5580.

East Avenue is currently blocked to through traffic between Minaret Avenue and Rose Street as crews work to replace the lines. Drivers are advised to avoid the area entirely.

Turlock Irrigation District spokesperson Calvin Curtin said the outage and road closure come due to a hit-and-run car accident.

“We’re estimating the power is going to be out for four hours, just due to a simple pole replacement,” Curtin said.

A driver allegedly lost control of his car while exiting the Pop-N-Cork liquor store parking lot at roughly 9 a.m. The vehicle spun, hit the pole, and the driver took off running.

Curtin said he believes the driver was later captured by Turlock police.

TID crews remain on site replacing the power pole, but work is expected to wrap up soon.

“The power should be restored fairly shortly,” Curtin said.