A Clair Mel man died Wednesday morning after officials said his van crashed into a wooden utility pole.

The crash happened just before 8:30 a.m. on 78th Street, just south of Palm River Road in Clair Mel.

Deputies said Manuel Blanco, 47, was driving a 1999 Plymouth Voyager south on 78th Street when for unknown reasons, he drove onto the west shoulder and hit a TECO utility pole.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue crews responded to the scene and extricated Blanco from the vehicle. He was taken to a local hospital, where he later died.  Officials said he was unrestrained in the car at the time of teh crash.

Crews from TECO also responded to stabilize the pole and high voltage lines. One lane of 78th Street was closed while crews made repairs to the pole.