Two dogs killed after van accident, house explodes

BEL AIR, Md. (WBAL) – Charges are being filed against a driver after he allegedly drove into a home in Bel Air, Maryland, setting a fire and killing two dogs on Wednesday evening.

The house's gas pipe was already on fire when a neighbor got out.

“I just heard a loud bang. I knew it was a car,” said the unnamed neighbor. “I just flew here in my robe to see what happened. I came here and saw this van crashing into my lovely neighbor’s house.”

The driver of the city security van was still in the vehicle.

“I just called out to him, 'Can you get out?' said the neighbor. “He opened the door, got out and said, 'What just happened?' and then he ran away.”

The accident occurred on Woodhome Drive in Bel Air just after 8 p.m. Wednesday.

The Harford County Sheriff's Office said they deployed vital resources in the 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 officers in the area on foot and dogs and everyone else to try to search for the suspect,” Major said Eric Gonzalez of the sheriff's office said.

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

Authorities said he allegedly told them he “blacked out” in the moments before the accident, which was seen on his doorbell video.

The vehicle then crashed into a gas pipe, causing a massive gas fire.

Neighbors had to be evacuated first. At some 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 greatest thing,” the unnamed neighbor said.

The suspect faces numerous traffic offenses, including reckless driving.

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