Engine Thrown From Car After Hitting Utility Pole In Westlake

WESTLAKE, OH — A driver hit a utility pole with such force that their car's engine was thrown from the vehicle, Westlake police reported.

On June 1, at 3:20 a.m., 911 callers reported a car had hit a utility pole on Hilliard Boulevard, near St. Ives. When officers arrived, the driver was gone, but their vehicle remained, police said.

Investigators determined the car had hit a deer on Hilliard and then rammed the utility pole, throwing the engine block out of the Volkswagen and into the road.

Officers scoured the area, including nearby woods, for the driver, but could not find immediately find them.

Police followed up that night and found the family of the registered car owner. The driver was a 26-year-old Lakewood resident. They were not hurt in the crash, police.

The driver faces charges for leaving the scene of an accident, police said.