​Margate Man Issued Summons After Car Landed In Water: Police

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NJ — A Margate man was charged with driving while intoxicated and reckless driving after his car veered into water near the Risley Channel Bridge, Egg Harbor Township Police said.

The Egg Harbor Township and Margate Police Departments responded to Margate Boulevard on Thursday around 11:10 p.m. for a subject yelling for help. A search of the area near the Risley Channel bridge located a car and its driver under the bridge.

John Abbott, 36, of Margate, was traveling east on Margate Boulevard when he drove into the west bound lane and then exited the roadway on the west bound shoulder, police said.

The 2014 Audi veered off the road and landed in water under the Risley Channel Bridge. Police found the car was partially submerged and Abbott was out of the vehicle holding onto a bridge piling.

Abbott was rescued from the water by the Margate Fire Department with their boat, according to police.

Abbott suffered minor injuries and was taken to AtlantiCare City Division by the Margate Fire Department Ambulance, police said.

Traffic on Margate Boulevard was shut down for about three hours due to the investigation on scene and removal of the vehicle from the water, police said.

Officer Patrick Daly is investigating the crash. Daly issued Abbott summons for driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, careless driving, failure to maintain his lane, failure to keep right and open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.

The Margate Police and Fire Departments, the Northfield Police Department and the Bargaintown Fire Company assisted with the rescue and investigation.

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