The Merrimack Public Library is expected to be closed for most of the day today, and perhaps longer, after police said a drunk driver rammed a pick-up truck into the electrical power supply for the building.

The impact ripped up underground electric cables and damaged electrical service equipment in the library.

Capt. Peter Albert said statements from eyewitnesses say a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck was waiting on Daniel Webster Highway shortly before 9 p.m. to take a left-hand turn onto Baboosic Lake Road when it suddenly accelerated, ran the red light and crashed into the light pole from which the underground cables ran into the library.

The truck then backed off and raced off down Baboosic Lake Road. But witnesses got the license tag number, and police went to the address listed on the registration.

"Officers arrived at 175 Indian Rock Road and encountered an individual who identified himself as the operator," Albert said. "They observed the Chevy Silverado with extensive front-end damage, steaming, with fluids leaking."

William McGregor, 27, was given field sobriety tests and was charged with second offense drunk driving and wrongful conduct after an accident, Albert said.

The power supply to the library sustained extensive damage, and the building was not expected to open until at least late today.

In addition, because of the damage, Baboosic Lake Road will be closed at the entrance to the library and traffic will be diverted to Church Road, Woodbury Street and Hillside Avenue while crews repair the damage. That detour was expected to last through the morning rush hour.