Police: Impaired Man Drives Into 2 Bel Air Homes, Causes Fire

A Bel Air man was charged Wednesday after allegedly crashing his truck into two homes on East MacPhail Road while under the influence, police say.

Michael Lee Smith, 54, of the 1000 block of Cedar Lane, is charged with driving while intoxicated, driving while under the influence, possession of a dangerous substance and leaving the scene of an accident, according to a Harford County Sheriff's Office news release.

The charges stem from the Wednesday night incident in Bel Air.

Around 9:15 p.m. sheriff's deputies and firefighters from the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company were called to the 1000 block of MacPhail Road after a truck allegedly drove into two homes, setting one of them on fire, according to the release.

Deputies learned the pickup truck, allegedly driven by Smith, drove off the road and hit the house located at 1030 East MacPhail Road then a backed into 1028 East MacPhail Road and knocked part of the home of its foundation, the release states.

During the accident, the truck hit the electric utilities meter and severed the propane gas line, the release states. The electrical wires then set fire to the propane tank, which then set fire to the home.

A neighbor saw the fire and quickly put it out with a fire extinguisher, officials said.

Deputies immediately told fellow law enforcement officers to be on the lookout for a blue pickup truck like the one involved in the crash.

About 20 minutes later, deputy Andrew VanHelten stopped a blue 2001 Chevy Silverado driven by Smith in the area of Maryland Route 136 and Cedar Drive.

Smith was arrested and taken to the Harford County Detention Center for processing.

No injuries were reported in connection with the crashes, and it was unclear Wednesday morning if the residents would remain in their homes.

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