UPDATED: Driver Seriously Injured After Crashing Into Pole

Updated 4:22 p.m.: Dajour Betancourt, 20, of Ruther Glen was the driver and he has been charged with reckless driving and operating a vehicle with an expired inspection, Bledsoe said.

Updated 12:02 p.m.: According to witnesses, the 20-year-old driver from Ruther Glen was driving at a high rate of speed toward Plank Road on Carl D. Silver Parkway when he lost control of his Nissan, said Fredericksburg police spokeswoman Natatia Bledsoe. The incident happened at about 9:10 a.m. She said witnesses told police that the vehicle went from the right travel lane across the left travel lane and partially into the center median, where it struck a tree. The impact with the tree caused the vehicle to rotate onto its right side and the car continued moving on its passenger side wheels until it hit the concrete light pole in the median, Bledsoe said. 

"Both the vehicle and the pole were significantly damaged. The driver, who was restrained only by a shoulder belt but not by his lap belt, was unconscious at the scene and transported to Mary Washington Hospital with severe injuries.  At last report, the driver is expected to survive," she said.

All lanes of Carl D Silver Parkway were closed for about two hours because of the instability of the concrete pole. Dominion Power stabilized the pole and a tow company cleared the Nissan and debris from the accident site," Bledsoe said.

"The investigation is ongoing and charges are pending against the driver," she said.

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Updated 11:05 a.m.: All lanes are now open, Bledsoe said. 

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All lanes of Carl D Silver Parkway in Central Park are closed in the 1400 block after a vehicle crashed into a concrete power pole, causing possibly life-threatening injuries to the driver.

Natatia Bledsoe, Fredericksburg police spokeswoman, said the crash is in the area of Ethan Allen. The male driver of the Nissan has been taken to the hospital and she said he has potentially life-threatening injuries. He was unconscious and has a head injury.

"Due to the instability of the pole, all lanes of traffic are closed and vehicles will be diverted through the shopping center parking lots," she said. "Dominion Power has been notified and is responding to the scene."

Motorists are urged to avoid the area, she said. The shutdown will last for at least an hour.