Ventura Boulevard will remain closed in Universal City Thursday until crews can repair damage caused by a pickup truck driver who crashed into a utility pole.
The impact knocked down high-voltage power lines and sent debris into the usually busy east-west route. The crash happened at 10602 W. Ventura Boulevard near Lankershim Boulevard at 11:41 p.m. Wednesday, said Matt Spence of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The blue pickup truck caught fire and a passer-by helped the driver -- who was arrested on suspicion of DUI -- escape.
"I saw a flash and I just ran over there," said rescuer Oscar Magana. "She was already trying to get out. She was in shock -- she was trying to get back in."
At least one utility pole fell across Ventura Boulevard. Another witness said he was walking to his car when he heard the screech of tires and a crash.
"I jumped onto the fence like a squirrel," Drusiano Solari said. "I was just given a second chance at life."
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