Car splits in half, catches fire after plowing into power pole on Merritt Island

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A 36-year-old man died Wednesday morning after the car he was driving split in two and caught fire after it struck a power pole on Merritt Island, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Richard Seborowski, 36, of Merritt Island, was driving a Chevy car at a high rate of speed shortly before midnight at Newfound Harbor Drive and Keokuk Street, Sgt. Kim Montes said.

Seborowski drove onto an unpaved shoulder and struck a power pole, causing him to be thrown from the vehicle and the garage of a nearby home to catch fire, Montes said.

Troopers said Seborowski was flown to Melbourne's Holmes Regional Medical Center, where he died.

Florida Power & Light Co. crews had to repair the downed transformer and power lines, which knocked out power to 200 homes in the area.

Resident Leanna Malone said she ran outside after hearing the crash.

"By the time we got down here, it was completely engulfed," she said. "Two pieces. You could see two pieces: one in the driveway and one across the street."

Malone said she has seen vehicles crash in the area about every month.

"The last one was across the street from us," she said. "So (that is) not very comforting."

The crash remains under investigation.

No other details were given.

Cox Media Group