Genoa power lost when vehicle hits pole

An accident Monday afternoon on Foothill Road about a mile south of Genoa left nearly all of the historic town's residents in the dark.

According to Douglas County Sheriff's dispatch, the accident occurred at 5:30 p.m. Resident said their power was back on by 6:30 p.m.

Douglas County Sheriff's Sgt. Mark Muñoz said Monday night that a male driver and a female passenger struck a power pole at about 5:30 p.m. after the driver claimed to have passed out.

A Care Flight helicopter landed in a nearby field to transport the driver to Washoe Medical Center in Reno. The passenger was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. Muñoz said the extent of their injuries was unknown Monday evening.

He added that it was unknown if alcohol or drugs were involved in the accident.

The southbound lanes of Foothill Drive were closed, and traffic was directed around the accident.

The accident occurred about one-quarter of a mile south of the Genoa Post Office between the 45 mph and 55 mph speed zones on Foothill Road.

Crews from the Genoa Volunteer Fire Department and Douglas County Sheriff's Office responded.