MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – A 36-year-old Merritt Island man was killed late Tuesday in a head-on crash with a pole that split his car in half, knocked out power to hundreds and ignited a house fire, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
The crash was reported at 11:55 p.m. on Newfound Harbour Drive on Merritt Island.
The FHP said Richard Seborowski was taken to Holmes Regional Medical Center after being ejected from his vehicle. He later died, the FHP said.
Troopers said Seborowski was driving a 2017 Chevrolet at a high rate of speed when he traveled onto an unpaved shoulder and crashed into the power pole. The pole and a transformer were toppled in the crash, the FHP said.
Seborowski's car then struck a tree and split in half, troopers said. The rear part of the vehicle hit a stop sign before stopping in the front yard of a home, which caught fire, the FHP said.
Brevard County Fire Rescue extinguished the blaze. It's not known how much damage the home sustained.
More than 200 homes lost power due to the crash. FPL crews worked to restore electricity.
It's not known if Seborowski was wearing a seat belt, the FHP said.
No other details have been released.