VERO BEACH — Police continue to search for the driver of a car that struck two wooden power poles before slamming into a tree Sunday, killing the passenger from Vero Beach. The wreck briefly shut down power to traffic lights and intersections, along with homes and businesses, in the area, said Capt. Joe Abollo, a spokesperson for the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
“At first the driver was not located and assumed to have been ejected from the vehicle,” Abollo said. “The driver was believed to have possibly fled from the scene due to the severity (of damage) of the vehicle.”
Deputies found the body of the passenger – a 26-year-old Vero Beach woman – in the car.
The impact from the crash snapped the power poles in half, said Officer Kelsea Callahan, a spokesperson for the Vero Beach Police Department. Florida Power & Light Co. crews were called to restore power to the area.
Indian River County sheriff’s deputies responded to the single-vehicle collision about 10:15 p.m. in the 4000 block of 43rd Avenue, Abollo said. Deputies arrived and saw a four-door Hyundai Elantra wrapped around a tree.
Florida Highway Patrol was notified of the crash. The Vero Beach Police Department took over the probe since the wreck occurred in the city’s jurisdiction, Abollo said.
Police continue to search for the driver and investigate what caused the deadly collision. More details were expected to be released Tuesday.
