Driver who hit 2 utility poles accused of DUI

The pool chemicals in his vehicle spilled onto Pinellas Avenue, causing part of the road to be closed for hours.

By KATHERINE GAZELLA

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 13, 2001

TARPON SPRINGS -- A Tarpon Springs man drove into two utility poles on Pinellas Avenue Sunday night and spilled chemicals that caused a section of the road to be closed for eight hours, police and fire officials said.

Police arrested Michael J. Kulak, 49, and accused him of driving under the influence.

Kulak was driving southbound on the 800 block of Pinellas Avenue about 9:40 p.m. when he lost control of his Ford Ranger and hit the power poles, causing some transformers to dangle over the road, said Kevin Bowman, deputy chief of the Tarpon Springs Fire Department.

Kulak, who works at a pool service company, had muriatic acid in his truck. An unknown amount of the chemical, which is used for pool cleaning, spilled onto the road and gave off fumes as it reacted with the humidity in the air, Bowman said.

The road was shut down between Dodecanese Boulevard and Orange Street. A hazardous materials team and Florida Power were at the scene, and the poles were back up by early Monday morning, Bowman said.

Kulak was being held at the Pinellas County Jail on Monday in lieu of $250 bail.

- Staff writer Katherine Gazella can be reached at (727) 445-4182 or gazella@sptimes.com.

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