Two Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies were trapped in their patrol car Saturday afternoon after a driver crashed into a power pole and live lines fell onto their vehicle.
Deputies chased a car through Lompoc at about 3:45 p.m. after recognizing the man behind the wheel as 28-year-old Sean Delorean Saggese.
Saggese is a felon known to police and had an active felony "no bail" warrant out for his arrest.
When the deputies tried to stop Saggese, he reportedly took off in his car on Highway 1 near Purisma Road. Saggese led deputies onto Highway 246 where he lost control of his car and crashed into a power pole near Sweeney Road.
VehicleAccident following SO pursuit-Hwy 246/Sweeney Rd. Vehicle into power pole w 1 minor/1 moderate injury to suspects being pursued. Both taken into custody by CHP. Live wires down near SO Unit trapping 2 (non-injured) Deputies for >45 min. *Call Newsline* C/T 3:49
— SBCFireInfo (@EliasonMike) April 21, 2018
Officials say the power pole snapped in half and fell across the highway. Meanwhile, live power lines fell onto the deputies’ patrol car, trapping them inside.
Highway 246 was shut down for several hours and PG&E was called to the scene to de-energize the power lines.
The deputies were checked out by medics and determined to be okay.
Photos by SBC pic.twitter.com/WfshFWJzMi
— SBCFireInfo (@EliasonMike) April 22, 2018
Saggese’s passenger, 26-year-old Sara Cantu, also had a warrant out for her arrest and was taken into custody following the crash.
Saggese was taken to a local hospital for be treated for injuries. He will be booked on felony charges of evading police, violating probation and his warrant.