Traffic lights out after car slams into light pole

SARASOTA (FOX 13) - A severe, single-vehicle crash early Tuesday morning has affected some traffic lights at a Sarasota intersection.

Sarasota police say the lights at 12th Street and North Washington Boulevard (U.S. 301) are reportedly not working after a speeding Ford Focus slammed into a light/power pole on the corner of the intersection around 3 a.m.

The City of Sarasota Public Works estimates the lights won’t be up and running until late afternoon.

As a result, 12th Street between Palmer Wood Court and North East Avenue is closed eastbound and westbound, however traffic is moving on north and southbound US 301 at 12th Street.

Officers are asking drivers to treat the intersection as a 4-way stop until the traffic lights begin working again.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Police said the driver was rushed to Sarasota Memorial Hospital and is expected to survive.