Driver seen towing 50-foot utility pole on California streets cited, passenger arrested

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A driver was cited and a passenger was arrested after allegedly towing a 50-foot utility pole with a chain attached to acar in California, according to authorities.

The Bakersfield Police Department said officers were called to a report of a car dragging a large telephone pole followed by a PG&E employee on Thursday around 6:45 a.m. EDT.

Officers later found the car, a 2007 Subaru.

Authorities said it was determined the driver was towing an uninstalled pole with a chain attached to the car.

Police said the power pole was staged for installation.

PG&E took the pole and did not press charges against the driver.

Police said the driver, identified as 58-year-old Renard Anderson, of Bakersfield, was issued a citation for numerous vehicle code violations and his vehicle was impounded.

A passenger in the car, identified as a woman, was arrested for unrelated arrest warrants and possession of narcotics paraphernalia.

The department said they wanted "to stress to the public that dragging 50-foot poles weighing in excess of 1,000 pounds with chains along city roadways is dangerous and against the law."