Ridge Street in Charlottesville reopened around 5 p.m. Wednesday approximately 15 hours after an early morning crash knocked down utility poles and caused property damage between Elliott and Monticello avenues.
Charlottesville Police Lieutenant Tom McKean said the wreck happened near 308 Ridge Street around 2:30 Wednesday morning. The driver of a Ford SUV crashed into multiple power poles and hit cars along the street, causing power outages and significant damage. No one was seriously injured during the crash.
"I came outside, and his car - along with four neighbors' cars - are totaled," said Mark Check, who lives near the scene. "I've seen a couple fender benders out here, but nothing like this."
Neighbors left without power spent part of the day watching power crews work to repair the damage from the wreck.
Anita Davis, who lives on Ridge Street, said, "When you ain't got no electric, you can't watch no news, can't watch no TV, might as well come out here and watch whatever."
Police say the driver fled on foot. Neighbors tell us they remember seeing someone limp away from the scene.
Police have not located the driver of the SUV, although they did find the owner's ID in the damaged vehicle. Investigators say they have made contact with her but it is still not clear if she was the person driving.
Neighbors say it is fortunate no one was hurt in the wreck or worse.
"You could have killed somebody, not deliberately, but you could have," said Check. "It's amazing no one's dead."
If you have any information on this incident that can help police find the driver, please call Crime Stoppers at 434-977-4000.
