Four seriously hurt after crashing car into pole while fleeing deputies

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Four people were seriously hurt after a 16-year-old driver fled deputies and crashed into a light pole over the weekend, authorities said.

The driver and three passengers – ages 15, 19 and 20 – all were taken to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute in Fort Pierce with serious injuries, a sheriff’s report shows. Updates on their conditions were not immediately available.

The driver was charged with felony fleeing and eluding, deputies said. The driver, the 20-year-old and 15-year-old all are from Vero Beach; it was unclear what town the 19-year-old lived in.

The incident unfolded about 10 p.m. Saturday. An Indian River County patrol deputy spotted a black Kia Soul traveling at high speed with no lights in the 1900 block of 14th Street Southwest, reports show.

The deputy activated emergency lights on the patrol car in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop. The Kia driver continued traveling in the residential neighborhood.

The driver eventually lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a light pole on a dirt road in the 1300 block of 11th Court Southwest, reports show.

One passenger said he and two other occupants screamed at the driver to stop the vehicle prior to the crash, deputies said. Indian River County Fire Rescue took all four patients to a trauma center in Fort Pierce.

A K-9 Deputy searched the Kia and found a clear plastic bag containing marijuana, reports show. Deputies said it was unclear who owned the bag since multiple items in the car were tossed around upon impact from the crash.

Photos contributed by Indian River County Sheriff’s Office

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