Power was knocked out for several hours for residents near Squankum Yellowbrook Road when a car went off the road and knocked down three utility poles in the area. 

James Malcolm, 48, of Brick, was driving south just before 7:30 a.m. Saturday when his 2001 Honda Odyssey left the road and struck the poles near the Howell Board of Education building, Ptl. Scott Brooks of the Howell Police Department reported.

According to the report, Malcolm told police that he looked down and away from the road and his car went off the road. The Odyssey turned onto its passenger side doors. With help from the nearby Squankum Fire Department, Brooks was able to get out of the car, the report said. He suffered only a minor hand injury. 

Malcolm was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center by the Howell Township Police Department EMS. The Farmingdale-Howell First Aid Squad also responded to the scene.

JCP&L was called to the scene to repair the broken poles and the road was closed for several hours while the repairs were being made. 

The crash is being investigated by Ptl. Brooks, who said no summonses had been issued at this time.