A stretch of Bouldercrest Road in DeKalb County, Georgia, was shut down Thursday morning after a driver crashed into a power pole and left the scene without stopping. The collision occurred near the intersection of Bouldercrest Road and Clifton Church Road, bringing down power lines and forcing authorities to close all lanes of traffic in the area while utility crews worked to clear the roadway. Investigators confirmed to local media that the driver responsible for the crash did not remain at the scene, making this an active hit-and-run investigation. As a result of the downed lines, Georgia Power's outage map showed at least 60 customers in the surrounding neighborhood without electricity following the crash. Emergency responders and utility crews were dispatched to secure the area, remove the damaged power lines, and restore safe conditions before the road could reopen. As of the latest reports, the road remains closed to through traffic, and authorities have not indicated when it will fully reopen. The investigation into the identity of the driver and the circumstances of the crash remains ongoing.

Location and Infrastructure

Bouldercrest Road is a heavily traveled corridor connecting residential communities in southeast DeKalb County, making it a critical route for daily commuters. Its intersection with Clifton Church Road sits in a mixed residential and commercial stretch where utility infrastructure, including power poles carrying active lines, runs close to the roadway. Because Bouldercrest Road serves as a primary artery in the area, closures caused by incidents like this create significant ripple effects on surrounding streets. Local officials have directed affected drivers to use Moreland Avenue, Jonesboro Road, or Flat Shoals Parkway as alternate routes while repairs are underway. The presence of roadside utility poles along this corridor underscores an ongoing infrastructure consideration for the area, as collisions involving fixed roadside objects can result in prolonged outages and road closures affecting entire neighborhoods, not just those directly involved in the crash.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Georgia law, drivers involved in a collision resulting in property damage are legally required to remain at the scene, exchange information, and, when necessary, notify law enforcement; leaving the scene may constitute a hit-and-run offense under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-270, carrying potential criminal penalties. Victims of property damage, including utility providers or nearby residents affected by outages, may have grounds to pursue civil claims against the identified driver once located. Georgia's statute of limitations generally allows two years from the date of an incident to file a personal injury claim and four years for property damage claims, though these timelines can vary based on specific circumstances. Compensation in such cases may include property damage repair, diminished use of utilities, or related losses. Anyone affected by this incident should document damages, retain records of losses, and consult applicable insurance policies, as coverage and claims processes can differ based on individual circumstances.

Related Resources

• DeKalb County Police Department — for crash reports and hit-and-run investigation updates
• DeKalb County Fire Rescue — emergency response and public safety information
• Georgia Power Outage Map — real-time outage tracking and restoration updates
• Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) — Georgia 511 — live traffic conditions and road closure alerts
• Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety — traffic safety resources and statistics
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — general roadway safety information
• Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program — support services for those affected by traffic-related incidents
• Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.), Title 40 – Motor Vehicles and Traffic — state traffic laws and regulations