WEEKI WACHEE, Fla. (WFLA) — A Pasco man has been charged with driving under the influence after reckless driving on US-19 turned into a fiery explosion when he slammed into a utility pole.
A deputy responded to the intersection of US-19 and Cortez Blvd. at around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday after getting reports of a reckless driver in the area.
After locating the vehicle, which was driven by 25-year-old Matthew Jowers, the responding deputy began following as he observed Jowers speeding down the road. The deputy was not far behind when Jowers lost control and sideswiped another vehicle, causing both to veer off the road.
Jowers crashed into a utility pole, sending sparks flying, breaking the pole in half, and flipping his car on its side in the process.
Jowers was thrown from the car into a nearby wooded area, and HCSO said that deputies had to use a drone to locate him.
The driver of the other car sustained non-life-threatening injuries, but had a dog in the car who was seriously injured. Hernando County firefighters rescued the dog from where it was trapped after the crash, but it later died of its injuries.
Jowers, along with the other driver, was taken to the hospital for treatment. Once cleared, Jowers was arrested and booked into the Hernando County Detention Center. He has been charged with reckless driving and driving under the influence.
