Cops: Drunken driver hits pole, sparks fire, damages parked vehicles in Flanders

An alleged drunken driver struck a utility pole, causing his car to catch fire and a power outage in the area for about three hours early Thursday morning in Flanders, according to Southampton Town police.

The driver, Rower Romeo Hernandez-Xajap, 18, of Flanders was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center to be treated for minor injuries, police said. No other injuries were reported.

Mr. Hernandez-Xajap struck the pole on Flanders Road near Bay Avenue at about 2: 30 a.m., police said. His car erupted in flames. The Flanders Fire Department  put out the fire in about five minutes, Flanders Fire Department Chief J.J. Lennon said.

Two parked vehicles in front of All Wright Electric and Flanders Heating & Air Conditioning were damaged, Chief Lennon said.  Two fire trucks responded to the scene along with police.

The utility pole was split at the base. The charred pole was still hanging from the wires during the Thursday morning commute. PSEG-Long Island restored power at about 5: 30 a.m., Chief Lennon said.

Mr. Hernandez-Xajap was charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated, according to police. He was still in the hospital as of Thursday morning.

Photo caption: A driver struck a utility pole on Flanders Road, sparking a fire and damaging two vehicles parked nearby. (Courtesy photo)