ERIE TWP., Mich. (WWJ) -- A section of Telegraph Road remains closed Wednesday afternoon just north of the Michigan-Ohio border following an early morning hit-and-run crash that ruptured an above-ground butane gas line.
Officials say the crash happened around 2 a.m. Wednesday along Telegraph near Erie Road in southern Monroe County, when two small passenger vehicles collided and struck a utility pole. One vehicle came to rest on top of a main line valve for pipeline operations.
When authorities responded to the scene, the drivers had apparently fled, because no one was to be found, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office said.
Police are not sure what led to the crash, but believe one of the vehicles may have been stolen.
It was not clear whether anyone was injured during the crash.
The risk of a possible explosion led to authorities temporarily evacuating residents from homes in the area.
Telegraph remained closed between Temperance and Samaria Roads, as of 5 p.m. -- more than 14 hours after the crash -- as crews worked to siphon off the pipeline in order to remove the vehicles. Crews from the Erie Township Fire Department were also hosing down the ditches in the area to tamp down the spread of butane gas.
The owner of the main line valve, Energy Transfer, was contacted and responded to the scene. The affected section of the pipeline has been isolated, police said. Representatives of Energy Transfer along with the Erie Township and Morin Point Fire Departments were still actively managing the scene well into Wednesday afternoon.
Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to call 734-240-7728.
Stay tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest updates on this story. >>> LISTEN LIVE
Related
![Man chained to roof of SUV rides through Detroit on the Lodge Freeway [WATCH]](https://radioimg.audacy.com/aiu-media/IMG0650-0e1bd066-03da-440c-b09f-c173c3c3284e.jpg?crop=16:9)