Crime & Safety
Car Plunges Into Morris County Lake After Mechanical Failure, Officials Say
A crane was required to retrieve a pickup truck from Lake Montowac in Montville after the driver crashed the vehicle into the pond.
MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Morris County police officers pulled a car from a lake on Thursday morning after a driver plunged into the water in a dangerously close call.
The incident occurred shortly after 4 a.m. when the driver’s vehicle, traveling south on Changebridge Road, suffered a mechanical failure, police said. This malfunction caused the vehicle to veer off the road, crash through the fence, and end up in Lake Montowac.
When first responders arrived at the lake in Montville Township, they found a pickup truck fully submerged in the water.
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Police Chief Andrew Caggiano stated that firefighters, police and tow companies worked together to retrieve the car from the water and ensure the driver’s safety.
The driver managed to exit the vehicle before it fully sank into the lake and sustained only minor injuries, Caggiano said.
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"An interesting morning at Lake Montowac today," police said on social media.
In addition to first responders, local authorities said they also contacted the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and a hazmat team to assess the lake for any hazardous or environmental issues resulting from the crash.
Changebridge Road had to be reduced to one lane for several hours to accommodate the crane required to lift the vehicle out of the water.
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