By Associated Press - Sunday, July 12, 2015

TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (AP) - Police say a man trying to elude capture in a stolen vehicle crashed into a utility pole in Taylorsville, knocking out power for hundreds of people.

KSL-TV in Salt Lake City reports (https://bit.ly/1M4JlFa) the incident began around 6:20 a.m. Sunday when an officer identified the stolen car as it was making an illegal left turn.

Unified police Lt. Justin Hoyal says 28-year-old Casey James Ortez allegedly fled during the traffic stop.



The officer then spotted sparks in the distance and found the crashed vehicle.

Ortez was taken to a hospital in serious condition.

He faces charges of possession of a stolen vehicle and fleeing from police.

Meanwhile, 680 households lost power but crews expect it to be restored this afternoon.

___

Advertisement
Advertisement

Information from: KSL-TV, https://www.ksl.com/

Copyright © 2026 The Washington Times, LLC.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.