PUTNEY - A Dummerston man told police that he crashed into a utility pole while attempting to avoid a skunk in the road on Saturday around 4:20 a.m.

Stacie A. Dean, 47, of Dummerston, told police he was driving a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee, on Route 5 in Putney, in front of People’s United Bank, when he swerved to avoid hitting the skunk and crashed into the utility pole, causing significant damage to both the vehicle’s front bumper, hood and undercarriage and the pole.

Dean was wearing a seatbelt and was not injured.

Green Mountain Power sent workers to repair the pole.