UPDATE, 2:32 p.m.: A CHP officer at the scene spoke with the Outpost’s John Ross Ferrara about the accident, which involved two vehicles — one that drifted off the road and into a pole, and another that swerved to avoid falling power lines. The first vehicle — a white Toyota hybrid — suffered major damage.

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UPDATE, 2:16 p.m.: Westbound Samoa has been opened, says our man on the scene.

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UPDATE, 2:06 p.m.: Power is out along Samoa Boulevard, the Outpost’s blackout-bot reports. Follow updates from PG&E over there.

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UPDATE, 2 p.m.: PG&E has arrived and is cleaning up the damage, reports the Outpost’s John Ferrara.

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Photo: John Ross Ferrara.

UPDATE, 1:50 a.m.: Samoa Boulevard has been closed at Pacheco Lane, between Manila and Arcata. See map below. 

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A Toyota hybrid flipped off the side of Samoa Boulevard and into a telephone pole just before 1:30 p.m., according to dispatch logs.

An ambulance has been dispatched to the scene and the Arcata Police Department is providing traffic control on the boulevard. Wires are down, but as of this moment it looks as though only phone lines, not electricity lines, have grounded.

The Outpost will have more information on this shortly. In the meanwhile, follow live updates from CHP dispatch below.