BRIEF: Live wires, water put driver in peril after Modesto crash. Then he went to jail.

April 18--A driver was told to stay in his vehicle after shearing off a fire hydrant and hitting a power pole in downtown Modesto early Wednesday.

About 2 a.m., Modesto police were first on scene at Needham and J streets, where the car was in contact with live power lines and resting in water from the hydrant, according to a Modesto Fire Department report.

The initial report was that the vehicle was on fire, but firefighters found no evidence it was.

A Modesto Irrigation District crew quickly was called to the scene to cut power to the lines, while city of Modesto public works shut off the water flow.

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The driver, Manteca resident Jesus Fernandez, 25, ended up being arrested. After he was medically cleared, he was booked into jail on suspicion of driving under the influence and for driving without insurance, police spokeswoman Heather Graves said.

Any witnesses to the crash are urged to call the Modesto Police Department at 209-572-9500.

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