Driver Nowhere To Be Found After Smashing Into Fire Hydrant, Utility Pole
DETROIT (WWJ) - A wayward van knocked down a utility pole and a fire hydrant on Detroit's east side, but authorities have no clue who was driving the vehicle.
The incident happened early Wednesday morning on Mt. Elliot and Lantz streets, in a neighborhood between Outer Drive East and 7 Mile Road.
According to police, the van was going northbound on Mt. Elliot when the driver apparently lost control and struck a fire hydrant with such force it completely removed the hydrant from its pedestal. The van then took out a utility pole, bringing live electric lines down into the water on the roadway.
The driver fled the scene after the crash and police said no one was around when they arrived at the scene.
DTE Energy responded to the scene to deal with the power lines as city crews worked to clear water from the roadway. Scattered power outages are reported in the area.
Mt. Elliot remains closed to traffic between Outer Drive and 7 Mile as crews continue to clear the scene.