JONES COUNTY — A driver arrested in an overnight crash on U.S. Highway 29 North that damaged Dixie Electric Power Association equipment and left hundreds without electricity was later taken into federal custody after an immigration detainer was discovered in court.
The Jones County Sheriff’s Department said it assisted the Mississippi Highway Patrol at a crash scene near 1961 Highway 29 North at the intersection of Justin Adams Drive.
Deputy Lou Lowe arrived and took the driver, Richard Castillo, 30, into custody pending the arrival of state troopers, the sheriff’s department said. Authorities said neither Castillo nor a passenger in the vehicle was injured.
Dixie EPA infrastructure was damaged when a power pole was broken and power lines fell across the roadway, the sheriff’s department said. The outage affected hundreds of Dixie EPA members.
Troopers arrested Castillo and charged him with DUI first offense, no insurance and failure to keep lane, authorities said. He was booked into the Jones County Adult Detention Facility pending an initial appearance in Jones County Justice Court.
Dixie EPA linemen and support crews worked to repair the damage and restore service, according to the sheriff’s department. Jones County Fire District 1 volunteer units also responded and assisted with traffic control.
Authorities said an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer was discovered when Castillo appeared in Jones County court before Judge Grant Hedgepeth. The sheriff’s department said Castillo was later picked up by ICE at the Jones County Adult Detention Facility and released to federal custody.