Driver hits Glendale hydrant

A 22-year-old man clipped a fire hydrant with his Lexus in Glendale early Friday morning, causing a 15- to 20-foot high geyser, city officials said.

At around 1:30 a.m., police officers spotted Sergio Mejia allegedly speeding down South Chevy Chase Drive near East Maple Street, said Tamar Hadjimanoukian, a city spokeswoman. Officers followed Mejia as he drove on South Chevy Chase Drive and turned onto East Windsor Road, hitting a fire hydrant in the 1100 block.

Hadjimanoukian said the Lexus, which sustained “significant collision damage,” was found parked on the 800 block of East Windsor Road. Mejia was found outside of the car and arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, she said.

The fire hydrant lost 551,000 gallons of water, said Dave Massie, a water superintendent with Glendale Water & Power.

It took crews about 15 minutes to stop the gushing water and replace the hydrant, Massie said.

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