A vehicle caught on fire after it slammed into a utility pole and came to rest in a wooded area along a road in the town of Vestal.

The crash on South Jensen Road was reported around 2:05 p.m. Wednesday.

Reports from the scene indicated the vehicle was unoccupied. The operator of the car left the scene before police arrived. Officers were searching the area for the driver.

The pole hit by the vehicle snapped, causing primary and secondary electrical lines to sag. A NYSEG crew was called to the site to repair the lines and replace the pole.

Vestal firefighters were called after a blaze broke out in the engine compartment of the vehicle. The fire started to spread into nearby trees.

Heavy black smoke from the blaze could be seen for miles.

The crash occurred a short distance south of Dodd Road. Jensen Road was closed between Dodd and Bunn Hill roads.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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