LONGWOOD, Fla. – A car fleeing a traffic stop crashed into a power pole early Wednesday, knocking out power to nearly 2,000 homes in Longwood, police said.
The crash was reported on U.S. Highway 17-92 near State Road 434.
Winter Springs police said officers attempted to stop a car traveling without its lights on, but the driver refused to stop and took off. Winter Springs police said department policy does not allow officers to chase vehicles in these types of situations, so officers started to turn around.
An officer then heard a crashing sound as the car slammed into the pole, sending power lines across the road in Longwood, police said.
The driver ran from the scene and has not been found, police said. Two of the three passengers suffered minor injuries and were taken to the hospital.
Officials said power was knocked out to 1,900 customers in the area.
"I saw this car smacked into this pole and this pole is half way over, and it knocked out half the city's power," said Greg Malenchek, who lives nearby.
U.S. Highway 17-92 was closed in the area as power crews replaced the pole.
No other details have been released.
Watch News 6 and stay with ClickOrlando.com for updates.