The crash happened just after 2:30 a.m. at Shoemaker Avenue and Molette Street, according to Whittier police. The driver was the only occupant in the vehicle when it struck the power pole, causing the car to flip over.
The driver was not injured, police said.
The man behind the wheel told police the collision occurred when he tried to avoid hitting a black cat on the street. Police said there was no word on whether the cat was injured in the incident.
The crash left one Edison customer without power, and crews were working to fix the mess.
The incident was being treated as an accident, and no arrests were made.