A single-vehicle crash on a busy Des Moines corridor left a utility pole destroyed, a tree damaged, and an entire stretch of road closed Saturday morning — and authorities say the driver’s condition tells the full story.
Des Moines Police responded to the scene along University Avenue, between 40th and 41st Street, where a vehicle had rolled over and caused significant damage to both a utility pole and a nearby tree. The impact was severe enough to block the roadway entirely, forcing a temporary closure that stretched into early Saturday afternoon.
Investigators identified the driver as 21-year-old Anastasya Irene Hale. Following their assessment at the scene, officers arrested Hale on a charge of Operating While Intoxicated — 1st Offense, commonly referred to as OWI in Iowa.
Hale was subsequently booked into the Polk County Jail. Records indicate she posted bond shortly after her booking and was released.
With the roadway compromised and the utility pole heavily damaged, Mid-American Energy was called to the scene to assess and repair the infrastructure before the street could safely reopen to traffic. Crews worked through the morning hours as part of the cleanup and restoration effort.
University Avenue is a major east-west thoroughfare cutting through residential and commercial parts of Des Moines, and closures along the corridor can ripple through local traffic patterns for hours.
No other vehicles or individuals were reported to be involved in the crash, and there were no immediate reports of injuries.
The OWI charge remains a 1st Offense designation at this time, though the case will proceed through the Iowa court system. Iowa law treats OWI seriously, with potential consequences including fines, license suspension, and possible jail time even on a first offense.
Investigators have not released additional details regarding the circumstances that led to the rollover.
