Car crash sends live power lines onto Pembroke Pines sidewalk

PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. – A car crash toppled two utility poles, sending live wires onto the sidewalk Saturday in Pembroke Pines, authorities said.

The crash happened just before 10 a.m. in the 600 block of University Drive, the Pembroke Pines Police Department said. Police closed the sidewalk while crews from Florida Power and Light worked to repair the damage, police said.

John Baran, whose wife was involved in the incident, said the crash was set in motion by a gold Toyota Camry that ran a red light. A Mercedes swerved to avoid the Camry but collided with a Hyundai, sending both the Mercedes and the Hyundai into the utility poles. Baran said the Camry sped away.

The east entrance to the Pembroke Commons shopping plaza was also closed because of a disabled traffic signal. Both the sidewalk and the shopping center entrance have reopened.