SANTEE, Calif. -- A suspected drunken driver, who crashed into a fire hydrant in Santee and sped away as water shot into the air, was arrested Wednesday, a sheriff's sergeant said.

Austin Pinto, 25, crashed his car into the hydrant at Woodside and Magnolia avenues about 12:30 a.m., Sgt. Brent Strahm said.

Witnesses told deputies the driver fled northbound on Woodside Avenue and, soon afterward, a traffic stop was made near Woodside Avenue and David Ann Street, he said. According to Strahm, Pinto was driving without his headlights on and speeding.

The deputy who pulled him over noticed Pinto's car was wet, damaged and had yellow paint marks from the hydrant, the sergeant said.

Pinto was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and failure to stop at the scene of an accident causing property damage.

Woodside Avenue was closed for about an hour while the crews stop the water flow.