Ranch collision knocks down power pole, driver remains missing

Firefighters responded to a traffic collision near the intersection of Rambla de los Flores and Calle Chaparro in Rancho Santa Fe early Thursday morning.

The vehicle had collided with a power pole, causing the pole to break and fall across the roadway. When firefighters arrived they found the car 200 feet away in a ditch but no occupants of the 1999 Volvo could be found.

The Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District responded at 1:45 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13, to the scene.

A news release from the district explained that there was no threat of fire but several area residents were without power for several hours.

Rambla de los Flores was closed in both direction for several hours while San Diego Gas and Electric workers removed the pole and power lines from across the roadway.

The cause of the collision is still under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.