A driver who slammed into a power pole, setting a house on fire and knocking out power to about 1,700 homes in Merritt Island, has died, troopers said Wednesday.

  • Troopers: Motorist was driving at a 'high rate of speed'
  • Vehicle slammed into power pole, broke in half
  • Richard Seborowski died at Holmes Regional Medical Center
  • 1,700 homes were without power in Merritt Island

Richard Seborowski died at Holmes Regional Medical Center after incurring critical injuries, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Seborowski, 36, of Merritt Island was speeding down Newfound Harbour Drive northbound at about midnight when his 2017 Chevrolet drove onto an unpaved shoulder and into a power pole at the intersection of Keokuk Lane, FHP said in a news release.

The crash took down power lines and a transformer, troopers said.


A deadly crash on Newfound Harbour Drive knocked down a power pole and transformer late Tuesday night, taking out power to about 1,700 homes in Merritt Island. (News 13)

The vehicle spun clockwise, struck a tree and split in half.

Seborowski was thrown from the car.

The rear half of the vehicle struck a stop sign and came to a rest in the yard of a home on the 400 block of Newfound Harbour Drive, then caught fire. The vehicle's front half came to rest in the eastbound travel lane of Keokuk Drive.

Investigators were still working to determine whether Seborowski was wearing a seat belt or whether the crash was alcohol-related.

Florida Power and Light said the crash impacted 1,700 customers. Power to most of the homes was restored mid-Wednesday morning.

Neighbor Leanna Malone described the accident.

"We just heard a really loud bang, and the lights went out and we ran out of the house and saw part of the car catching on fire," she said.

Neighbors say they see an accident on their street at least once a month.