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The BMW that was going about 80 mph on Regent Street early Friday morning went airborne as it crashed into a fire hydrant, starting a trail of car pieces before catching fire, the driver getting out and fleeing on foot.

Madison police said the unidentified driver of the car was helped out of the car before it burst into flames following the crash at about 2 a.m.

Witnesses said the car was speeding west on Regent Street, with the car first hitting a fire hydrant near Breese Terrace.

"A piece of the hydrant flew through the air and smashed out the living room window of a home in the 1600 block of Regent Street," said police spokesman Joel DeSpain. "Water was now gushing out of the severed hydrant, filling the intersection with water."

The car didn't slow down after hitting the fire hydrant, knocking over a traffic signal at Breese Terrace and Regent Street, sending the pole into the street and the BMW spinning out.

"The car separated from its axles, engine and transmission, and slid a city block to Lathrop Street, where it was stopped by a tree," said Sgt. Daryl Doberstein.

As the car broke apart, some of the parts hit a parked car.