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Driver who caused power outage pleads guilty to drugged driving

ESCANABA — An Escanaba man who was arrested for drugged driving after he crashed his pickup into a utility pole in Escanaba, causing a localized power outage last December, recently entered pleas in Delta County Circuit Court.

Dennis John Reese, 23, pleaded guilty to one count of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance (a 93-day misdemeanor) and pleaded guilty to one count of possession of analogues (a two-year felony).

In exchange for the guilty pleas, the prosecution agreed to dismiss one count of possession of a contraband in jail (a five-year felony) and one count of possession of marijuana (a one-year misdemeanor).

According to Escanaba Public Safety, Reese was driving west on 1st Avenue North where his truck struck a parked vehicle and an electric pole, causing his pickup to roll onto the driver’s side and trap him inside. The accident occurred at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 26, a block east of North Lincoln Road.

After electric employees deactivated the power lines, Reese got out of the pickup on his own and refused medical care. Three nearby restaurants lost power until repairs were completed the following day.

Reese was later released from jail after posting a $25,000 surety bond, or 10 percent of a $250,000 bond. He is scheduled to be sentenced in circuit court on April 7.

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