Annapolis police say a 24-year-old Edgewater man was arrested for leaving the scene of an accident after a Ford Explorer struck an electrical pole at Forest Drive and Taylor Avenue in the city, causing the road to be closed for more than 17 hours.
The accident occurred at 11:19 a.m. Monday, according to Annapolis police, when the Ford Explorer struck an electrical pole near the intersection, shearing the pole from the ground.
Police said the accident left power lines hanging across the intersection and both Forest Drive and Tyler Avenue were impassable. Annapolis police, Anne Arundel County Police and police auxiliary units helped with traffic control, according to Annapolis police spokeswoman Cpl. Amy Miguez.
Police said the driver of the Explorer fled in the vehicle. Officers located the Explorer parked and unoccupied on Rosecrest Drive near Roselawn Drive, and police said a citizen reported seeing a man leaving the area. Police later arrested a 24-year-old Edgewater man and charged him with leaving the scene of an accident and driving on a revoked license, according to police.
BGE crews responded to the scene to make the repairs. BGE finished replacing the pole and attaching electric lines at 3 a.m. Verizon and Comcast finished repairs by 4:35 a.m., police said, and the roadway was reopened, police said.
During the incident, county police were called to the scene to help with traffic. On Monday afternoon, Anne Arundel County Public Schools posted an advisory on its Facebook page warning parents that there would be "significant bus delays" getting children home in that area.
On Tuesday morning, the school system posted another advisory that the road had been reopened.
—Staff Reports