JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jeep apparently went airborne Monday and hit a power pole off Memorial Park Road on Jacksonville's Westside, according to witnesses who saw the crash.
The crash was reported just after 2 p.m. near the intersection of Westgate Drive.
The front of the Jeep appeared to have collapsed on impact with the pole, and the top had to be removed to pull the driver from the vehicle. The witnesses said the Jeep went airborne into a ditch before hitting the pole, which had a visible gouge about 8 feet off the ground.
Thomas Blakeney, who lives nearby, was inside his home sleeping when he heard the crash.
"It sounded like a sonic boom," Blakeney said.
Another witness told News4Jax the driver appeared to be severely hurt. It's unclear how many people were in the Jeep.
Darin Hinton, a neighbor, said speeding is an issue along the roadway. News4Jax used a radar gun and caught several vehicles speeding through the area.
"We've called police may times," Hinton said. "It never seems to be enough. People drive 60 to 65 mph down Memorial Park (Road)."
News4Jax has requested information from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office regarding reported crashes in the area.