First responders in La Porte County risked electrocution to save a woman at a crash site just before burning power lines above them dropped from a utility pole she had struck with her vehicle.
At about 9 p.m. on Sunday, police, medics, and firefighters were called to Indiana 39 and 800 North for a vehicle that rolled multiple times and hit a utility pole.
The vehicle, a 2014 Ford Fusion, was heavily damaged on all four sides with authorities reporting that debris from the crash included a muffler, wheel, and part of a bumper along with several alcoholic beverage containers.
Springfield Township Fire Chief Steve Marvel said the top of the pole broke from the impact, causing enough of a power surge apparently for the lines to begin sparking and catching the grass on fire about a half mile south of the crash site.