COLUMBUS, Ind. — A Columbus woman who was texting while driving struck a utility pole, causing her sport-utility vehicle to catch fire, police said.
Savannah N. Hall, 28 of 5270 E. Forster Ave., Columbus, said she was driving home when the accident occurred at 3:07 a.m. Sunday, according to the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.
Sgt. Kris Weisner and deputy Jarod Aspenson responded to the single-vehicle crash in the area of South County Road 250E and East County Road 275S, southeast of Columbus.
Upon arriving, Weisner observed a split utility pole and a Jeep Commander on its side with smoke coming from the engine compartment, police said. Afterward, Hall indicated that she was driving home after consuming alcohol earlier in the evening and that she was texting at the time of the traffic accident, police said.
A short time later, the Jeep’s engine compartment burst into flames, engulfing the entire vehicle.
Hall was arrested on charges of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence.
Read more in the print edition of Tuesday’s Republic.
