Melvindale, Michigan – A high-speed police pursuit on Wednesday afternoon ended in chaos when a suspect lost control and slammed into a utility pole, triggering a violent electric explosion in River Rouge.

The chase began around 2:07 p.m., after the Michigan Department of Corrections Absconder Recovery Unit alerted Melvindale Police to a parole absconder in the 3000 block of Oakwood Boulevard. “This individual was also wanted for a home invasion in another jurisdiction,” Melvindale police said.

Officers attempted a traffic stop, but the suspect sped off east on Oakwood Boulevard and onto Dix Street into Detroit. Dashcam footage shows officers trying to block a red van, which then raced at roughly 75 mph through suburban streets.

The driver lost control and crashed into a utility pole, which fell across the street behind the van. The impact sparked a powerful electric explosion at the top of the pole. The suspect tried to flee on foot but was quickly taken into custody without incident.

Security footage from a nearby gas station later showed a manhole cover blowing off at East Great Lake and West Jefferson Avenue in River Rouge. DTE confirmed an underground cable issue caused local service disruptions.

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