Vehicle knocks out power to Surprise neighborhood

A single-vehicle accident knocked out an Arizona Public Service transformer in the 15800 block of West Arrowhead Drive in Surprise June 30, leaving residents without power for about four hours.

At about 12:54 p.m., police responded to a vehicle collision at the home. Upon arrival, officers found a 2005 Mercury sedan on top of an electrical transformer junction box.

Officers discovered the 84-year-old female driver had stepped on her vehicle's accelerator instead of the brake while backing out of her garage. The vehicle sped backwards across the street, rolling on top of the transformer and disconnecting it from its base, police said. 

The driver was unharmed, and APS was called immediately, police said. APS advised police that the power would be out to the neighborhood while they replaced the transformer. Once notified, Sun City Grand Community Association staff set up a temporary shelter so effected residents could get out of the heat.

Officers and volunteers went door to door advising residents of the outage and the shelter. APS was able to restore power to the neighborhood at 4:34 p.m.