New Point Borough Driver Loses Control, Drives Into Lagoon

The Monday night accident that ended with a car in a lagoon off Point Pleasant Canal and two teens climbing out of the water soaked began with a new driver who lost control, police said.

A 17 year old boy from Point Borough, who had a 15 year old Borough boy in the passenger seat, drove into a lagoon off Marine Parkway at a small marina owned by the Bay Head Shores Property Association, police said.

The two were not seriously injured and were able to open the car doors and climb out of the water, police said.

The driver was heading north on Marine Parkway, when he turned right onto a dirt road owned by the association, said Police Captain Richard Larsen.

"He lost control while turning and crossed over a small, wooden dock into a lagoon," Larsen said, adding that the driver was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Police Chief Larry Williams said the driver was "new and inexperienced," made a mistake and lost control.

A tow truck had to hoist the car out of the water.

No charges are being filed in the investigation done by Officer Brad McNally.

The car was a 2001 Honda Accord owned by the driver's father, Larsen said. He declined to release the names of the boys because they are minors.

The Point Boro First Aid Squad, the Borough Fire Department, its water rescue unit and rescue truck, and the State Police Marine Bureau assisted at the scene. Police were called to the scene at 5:41 p.m. and all emergency responders cleared the scene at 7:09 p.m.

Borough Fire Chief Daniel Mulligan said he sent one of the water rescue personnel, Captain Jonathan Miller, into the water. He turned the car off and did a quick search of the car, which was in about four feet of water.

Marine Parkway, off Bay Boulevard in the Borough's Bay Head Shores section, also intersects with Riviera Parkway where Nellie F. Bennett Elementary School is located.