Strafford man nabbed for DWI, hit-run after crashing into parked car, utility poles

The Jeep did considerable damage to the second pole that was struck. (Rochester Police photo)

ROCHESTER - Police say a Strafford man was driving drunk when he crashed into a parked vehicle and two utility poles on Walnut Street early today.

Officers first responded to the call around 12:45 a.m. and after a brief investigation it was learned that there had been three individual crashes involving the same vehicle.

The first incident involved a vehicle that was parked off of the westbound side of the roadway, facing west, in the area of 25 Walnut St., in which the unoccupied vehicle was struck from behind resulting in minor damage.

Then, moments later about a third of a mile farther down the road near 86 Walnut St., a utility pole was struck by the same vehicle, causing a large section to break away from the utility pole.

Then about two miles west of the second collision at the intersection of Walnut Street and Estes Road, a second utility pole was struck, again on the eastbound side of the roadway.

While the first utility pole being damaged didn't result in any immediate power outage, there were some interruptions in the area of the second pole.

The suspect's vehicle, a 2014 Jeep Patriot, was found at the scene of the third crash, heavily damaged and facing generally westbound, police said in a press release.

Stevie Coletti, 21 of Strafford, was located near the scene of the third crash and determined to be the driver and lone occupant of the Jeep. He was taken to Frisbie Memorial Hospital for what were described as nonlife-threatening injuries.

Coletti was arrested and charged with DWI and three counts of conduct after an accident, all misdemeanors.

He was released on $2,500 personal recognizance and is scheduled for arraignment in the 7^th Circuit District Division Rochester Court next month.

The utility pole near 86 Walnut St. needed to be replaced, and the section of Walnut Street between Cushing Boulevard and Willey Street was temporarily closed.

The roadway remained closed as of 7:35 am and was expected to stay closed for several hours.