Officials: 2 dogs killed after van crashes, home explodes

BEL AIR, Md. (WBAL) – A driver is facing charges after he allegedly crashed into a home in Bel Air, Maryland Wednesday night, starting a fire and killing two dogs.

The gas line of the home was already on fire when a next door neighbor stepped out.

"I just heard a loud boom. I knew it was a car," the unnamed neighbor said. "Just came flying down out of here in my robe to see what happened. I came over here and saw this van crashed into my dear neighbor's house."

The driver of the town security truck was still in the vehicle.

"I just hollered to him, 'Can you get out?' the neighbor said. "He opened the door and got out and said, 'What just happened?' and then he took off."

The crash took place just after 8 p.m. Wednesday, along Woodhome Drive in Bel Air.

The Harford County Sheriff's Office said they utilized vital resources to search for the driver.

"We got information from witnesses that the driver had fled the scene, so we immediately deployed our drone team, along with deputies in the area on foot and canines and everyone to try to search for the suspect," Major Eric Gonzalez with the sheriff's office said.

Police said 27-year-old Joseph Pollard turned himself in seven hours later.

Authorities said he reportedly told them he "blacked out" in the moments leading up to the wreck caught on his doorbell video.

The vehicle then hit a gas line, prompting a massive gas-fed fire.

Neighbors initially had to be evacuated. At one point, there was a partial collapse.

Officials said the homeowner was not inside at the time of the incident but her two dogs were killed.

Neighbors said the homeowner lost everything.

"Prayers for my neighbor... That would be the biggest thing," the unnamed neighbor said.

The suspect is facing a slew of traffic charges, including reckless driving.