Pleasantville Man Charged With DWI, Assault by Auto After Crashing Into Utility Pole in Egg Harbor Township

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — A 23-year-old Pleasantville man is facing drunken driving and criminal charges after police say he crashed into a utility pole and fire hydrant Saturday morning, injuring his passenger and shutting down part of the Black Horse Pike for several hours.

The crash occurred around 8:02 a.m. Saturday in the westbound lanes of the Black Horse Pike near Oxford Place in the West Atlantic City section of Egg Harbor Township.

According to the Egg Harbor Township Police Department, officers arrived to find a vehicle that had struck a utility pole, bringing down power lines across the roadway and sidewalk. Police said the vehicle also ran over a fire hydrant.

The driver was identified as Franklin Espinoza-Bustillo, 23, of Pleasantville.

During the investigation, officers determined Espinoza-Bustillo was allegedly driving while intoxicated and placed him under arrest at the scene.

A front-seat passenger suffered injuries in the crash and was transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center for treatment. Police said the injuries were not considered life-threatening.

Espinoza-Bustillo was charged with driving while intoxicated, assault by auto, and numerous additional motor vehicle offenses.

After processing, he was released to a sober adult in accordance with John's Law, which requires individuals charged with DWI to be released only to a responsible adult who acknowledges responsibility for the impaired driver.

The westbound lanes of the Black Horse Pike remained closed for approximately four hours while emergency crews cleared the scene and utility crews addressed the downed wires.

Officer Ricevuto of the Egg Harbor Township Police Department is investigating the crash.

Assisting at the scene were Egg Harbor Township EMS, the Pleasantville Police Department, the Atlantic City Police Department, and the New Jersey State Police.