Catoosa Woman Arrested For DUI After Running Into Bucket Truck

A utility worker escaped injury when a car hit the rear of his utility truck early Tuesday morning. 

Tulsa Police say the crash happened in the 1600 block of South Peoria at about 2:15 a.m.

Tulsa Police Captain Travis Yates said one worker was up in the bucket working on the utility pole.  The worker saw the car veer towards him and was able to "hunker down," Yates said.  The worker was fortunate to avoid injury, he added.

After her car hit the truck, the driver ran away.  The crew in the police helicopter saw the woman get into another vehicle a few blocks away, and directed officers on the ground to her location.

Police arrested Dani Marie Pittman, 21, of Catoosa. They booked her on complaints of driving under the influence of alcohol and hit and run.

The arresting officer said her speech was slurred, and she smelled strongly of alcohol. The worker positively identified Pittman as the driver of the vehicle. 

Tulsa Police say if the worker had not braced himself, he could have been knocked out of the bucket.