UPDATE: Anne Arundel County Police have released the following statement:
On 10-14-13 at approximately 04:00 hours, Anne Arundel County Police responded to the area of Defense Highway and The Ridges Gateway following a power outage and came upon a single vehicle collision into a utility pole that was engulfed in flames. The sole occupant (driver) of the vehicle, a 2000 Honda Civic 2-door, was found still inside of the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Their identity is unknown at this time pending an autopsy.
The initial investigation revealed the vehicle was traveling East on Defense Highway at a high rate of speed. The vehicle driver lost control, leaving the right side of the roadway, and struck a utility pole on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
The investigation is ongoing at this time. Speed is a contributory factor in the collision. Alcohol use is unknown at this time.
A fatal crash has Route 450 closed between Annapolis and Davidsonville this morning
Officers from the Anne Arundel County Police Department were dispatched to the area of Route 450 and The Ridges Gateway after a power outage. They found a single vehicle into a pole engulfed in flames. Officers verified that the single occupant, who remains unidentified, was deceased. This call came in at approximately 4:00 a.m.
Investigators from the Traffic Safety Unit continue to investigate at this hour. Baltimore Gas and Electric is also on scene attempting to restore power to those affected.
There is no further information available at this time.