SALISBURY — A drunk driver forced the city of Salisbury to shut down Fulton Street for multiple days after he crashed into a power pole, according to police.

An officer first saw the driver leaving downtown Salisbury at a high rate of speed, according to a spokesperson for the Salisbury Police Department. Around 1 a.m. on Saturday, officers were notified by communications that someone had crashed into a utility pole at the intersection of Fulton and West Fisher streets. The spokesperson could not say what exactly caused the crash.

When police asked the man why he was driving while intoxicated, he allegedly said “I was driving the car, but I’m not the driver.” Police reportedly saw an open container of alcohol in the car as well.

Jhoem Job Salazar, 25, was charged with misdemeanor impaired driving and possession of an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a vehicle in connection to the event. The spokesperson said that Salazar originally lied about his identity. A test revealed that Salazar allegedly had 0.21 blood alcohol content.

The crash caused the city to shut down Fulton Street in the area between Fisher and Bank streets to allow Duke Energy to work on the utility pole. The road was shut down until Monday night and crews continued to work through Tuesday.