DOBSON — A driver who struck a power pole on Zephyr Road Wednesday morning, caused traffic through town to be delayed for a couple of hours causing headaches for those on their way to school and work.

Susan Folger, 45, of 636 Gillespie St., was charged by Trooper Bryan Baker of the North Carolina Highway Patrol after fleeing the scene of an accident in which she allegedly struck a power pole that fell across the road blocking traffic in both directions.

Baker said he charged Folger in January with driving while impaired, and based on the knowledge he gained during her early arrest, he was able to track her down. He said he knew that she lived on Gillespie Street, which is about 300 yards from the accident scene, and worked as a nurse at a home on Main Street. First Sgt. Kevin Barker with the N.C. Highway Patrol aided in the investigation and found Folger’s damaged 2001 Nissan X-terra at that home on Main Street.

Folger was charged with driving while impaired, reckless driving and hit and run. The accident happened at 7:45 a.m.

Traffic had to be redirected onto Caves Mill and W.R. Gillespie roads to get around the traffic hazard caused by the struck power pole on Zephyr Road. A number of school buses headed to Central Middle School got caught in the traffic and were turned around and send on the redirected route as well.

Folger also was charged with driving while impaired on Jan. 22 at 12:12 p.m. by Sgt. Jimmy Gillespie of the Dobson Police Department. Baker said he charged her four hours after that arrest with driving while impaired.

While traffic was backed up, another accident involving a rear-end collision occurred on Zephyr Road at 8 a.m. Baker also investigated that accident scene. He said Stacey Adams and her son, Jared, of Dobson, were in a 2001 BMW traveling east, when Kimberly Lowe of Elkin, hit Adams’ car in the rear. Baker said the younger Adams was complaining of neck and back pain. Lowe was charged with failure to reduce speed.

At 7:40 a.m., a four-car collision was reported at the intersection of Old U.S. 601 and U.S. 601. Trooper James Atkins responded to the scene of that accident. The drivers involved included Tammy Boles, Amanda Sawyers and Miranda Williams, all of Mount Airy, and Izahira Thomas of Ararat, Va. All four vehicles were traveling south when the chain reaction accident occurred. Thomas was charged with failure to reduce speed and was transported to Northern Hospital of Surry County. The other drivers refused treatment.

Contact Mondee Tilley at mtilley@mtairynews.com or at 719-1930.