Driver transported to hospital after striking utility pole

A driver was transported to the hospital on Friday after crashing into a utility pole in downtown Southern Pines.

Shortly after 8 p.m., first responders received a call alerting them to a single-vehicle wreck near the intersection of West Pennsylvania Avenue and South Bennett Street.

On scene, authorities discovered a Ford SUV that had veered from the road and crashed headlong into the utility pole. The impact was so intense that the pole was partially snapped upon impact.

The male driver of the Ford was transported to Moore Regional Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He was the only occupant of the vehicle. 

Authorities did not confirm whether rain or speed played a role as contributing factors in the incident. It is still under investigation at this time.

Duke Energy initially arrived on the scene to begin immediate repairs but determined that the pole was most likely for internet services. There are currently no known outages as a result of the wreck. 

~Written by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Abegail Murphy.