ISLAND HEIGHTS – Thankfully, no one was injured in a bizarre Saturday afternoon incident.
A man was driving a car down Route 37 intoxicated when he left the roadway, crashed into a building housing a swim school and ended up submerged in an indoor pool.
Island Heights Police identified the driver as 52-year-old Robert Bjorklund of Seaside Heights.
Island Heights Volunteer Fire Company 1 responded to the scene at the Pied Piper Swim School shortly before 5:30 on August 21.
Officials said that the car had driven through the exterior wall of the building and drove into the pool. The vehicle was in the water when they got there.
According to Ocean County Scanner News, the driver was actually pulled out of the vehicle safe and sound by a bystander.
Authorities confirmed Bjorklund was not injured but he failed a sobriety test.
Bjorklund was charged for driving while under the influence, issued multiple summonses and was arrested, processed and released as per Johns Law pending a future court date.
Island Heights Volunteer Fire Company 1 said in order to remove the vehicle from the pool, they had to open up the side wall of the building with the assistance of the Toms River Technical Rescue Team who helped stabilize and remove pieces of the wall. A tow truck wrecker was able to remove the car from the pool and get it out of the building.
The responding agencies included Island Heights Police Department, Island Heights Volunteer First Aid Squad, Toms River Technical Rescue Team, Ocean County Sheriff 911, Toms River Police Department and Priced Rite Towing & Auto Repair.
This crash investigation was conducted by Traffic Safety Officer Zappola of the Island Heights Police Department. Officers on scene included Detective Curtis, Ptl. Bellomy and Ptl. Mellott.
