A Hay River youth has been charged with dangerous driving, mischief and underage consumption of alcohol after driving into a utility pole.

Hay River RCMP attended a rural scene on a service road at approximately 7:35 a.m. on June 5 and found a black SUV that had collided with and damaged a utility pole.

No injuries were reported though the vehicle sustained severe damages, as did the pole.

A male suspect was later identified and charged with two counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, careless storage of ammunition, mischief over $5000, operating a vehicle without a valid driver鈥檚 license, failure to remain at the scene of an accident and a minor consuming alcohol.

The identity of the youth is protected by the Youth Criminal Justice Act and cannot be disclosed.

Sgt. Kurtis Pillipow, Hay River detachment commander, called the incident a 鈥渟tark reminder that drinking and driving is never okay and can result in serious consequences.鈥�

鈥淭his incident could have had far more serious results, both to the youth, and to other motor vehicle drivers and persons who use the service road.鈥�

The scene was secured and the power company advised of the potential hazard due to the collapse of the utility pole into power lines.