Utility pole downed, driver is arrested

AUSTINTOWN -- A car struck a utility pole on Mahoning Avenue and the driver fled, was chased by police and arrested a short distance away.
The accident happened at 10:15 a.m. Friday, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol in Canfield.
Curtis Nickel, 37, of Austintown, was westbound on Mahoning and lost control of his car, the patrol said. He hit the pole, near Chipper's sports bar at Mahoning and North Edgehill Avenue, and knocked it down.
The patrol said Austintown police chased Nickel, who was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center. Police did not know the extent of his injuries.
State police closed Mahoning after the accident as a crew worked to clean up debris from the pole.
Austintown police did not have a complete report Friday.