Ledyard —Power has been restored to all of the nearly 1,000 customers who were in the dark for much of the day.

A car slammed into a utility pole on Long Cove Road at around 4:30 a.m. Saturday, according to police. A transformer had to replaced, according to Katie Blint, a CL&P spokeswoman.

Through a technique known as "looping," utility workers were able to restore power to about 700 customers, Blint said, but the remaining customers had to wait until the transformer and pole were replaced, which happened shortly before 4 p.m.

Igor Ponts, 27, of Norwich was driving the car that crashed into the pole. He is charged with evading responsibility and driving without a license and insurance, according to police.