Rochester, N.Y. – The driver of an SUV is facing charges after hitting utility poles, a parked car and two homes just after midnight Saturday morning.
According to Chief James Sheppard of the Rochester Police Department, officers attempted to pull the SUV over at Chestnut Street and Main Street, but the vehicle did not stop.
“The officer did not pursue,” said Sheppard. “A few minutes later we were made aware of an accident that occurred down the street.”
The SUV, driven by Jimmy Jones Jr., 23, of Rochester, crashed on North Street.
When emergency crews arrived on scene, they found a car had veered off the road, struck a utility pole and hit a home, street signs, and a parked vehicle before flipping over and crashing into Jerry Bunton’s home, at 966 North St. near Clifford Avenue.
“All I heard was a tremendous sound and then the house shook,” said Bunton, who was sitting in his living room at the time of the accident. “I got up and went to the door to see what was going on and there was a car laying upside down in the front yard.”
Jones and two passengers, a 17- and 18-year-old, both males, were trapped inside and had to be extricated by Rochester firefighters.
All three passengers were taken to Strong Hospital for evaluation. Jones is in guarded condition, and his passengers are seriously injured, according to police.
None of the passengers have been identified.
RG&E crews worked throughout the morning replacing two utility poles and restore power to the 500 customers that lost it because of the accident. It was restored around 2 p.m. Saturday.
Police said the SUV may have run a red light, but they will continue to investigate.
Jones is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle as well as second-degree assault.
Police are still investigating whether or not alcohol was involved.
