Car bursts into flames after crashing into utility pole on U.S. 41 in Palmetto

PALMETTO -- A car burst into flames after crashing into a utility pole Tuesday morning, causing a brief shutdown of the northbound lanes of U.S. 41 in Palmetto, police said.

The car crashed into the utility pole outside the Palmetto Trace Apartments, 708 Second Ave. E., Palmetto, according to Palmetto Police Chief Scott Tyler.

The 911 call came in at 11:02 a.m., and firefighters from the North River Fire District responded and were able to extinguish it, according to a Manatee County Emergency Communications Center supervisor. There were no burn injures reported.

The driver was taken to Blake Medical Center on a trauma alert.

The road reopened by 11:28 a.m., Tyler said.

This story was originally published October 20, 2015 at 11:49 AM with the headline "Car bursts into flames after crashing into utility pole on U.S. 41 in Palmetto ."