Suspected DUI driver hits, drags phone pole


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SALT LAKE CITY — A suspected drunk driver took out a telephone pole and made a mess as he fled from police on 4500 South.

A stolen car hit a phone pole late Sunday night on 4500 South near 1500 East, police said. The driver then turned around and drove the other way on 4500 South, dragging the mess from the telephone pole along with him.

The car stalled several blocks away. Police said the driver used a rock from inside the car to break out the passenger side window and crawl through.

Once on the outside, the driver then opened the passenger door, place the rock back inside and took off running.

An officer spotted him, chased him for nearly two blocks, before using a Taser on the man and taking him into custody. Officers said they don't know why he chose to exit through the passenger window because the driver's side door was fine.

Police said the man they arrested, Richard Messina, could now face charges of resisting arrest, DUI, driving a stolen vehicle and hit and run.

The mess closed 4500 South for several hours until crews could clean it up.

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