A routine traffic stop quickly turned into a police chase that ended in rescuing driver after he drove into the Rahway River, police announced today.
On June 21, Linden officers stopped a 2014 Kia which drove through a red traffic signal at N. Wood Avenue and St. George Avenue around 12:58 a.m. Sunday.
The driver, Allen S. Johnson, 23, of Vauxhall, initially refused to hand over his credentials and appeared to be very nervous. When the officer asked him to step from the vehicle, Johnson put the car into gear and swerved to the left nearly striking the officer. Johnson accelerated heading north on N. Wood Avenue with another Linden police vehicle in pursuit. The Kia drove west on Raritan Road into Cranford and made a right turn into Mohawk Park. The paved road ended and the Kia drove through some woods before driving into the Rahway River.
Responding officers took custody of the car’s passenger, Gary S. Lindie, 21, of Irvington.
Linden officer Matthew Wisnowski then entered the river and pulled Johnson, who was unresponsive, away from the partially-submerged Kia in about five feet of water.
Both Johnson and Lindie were transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Rahway by the Cranford First Aid Squad.
Johnson was later transferred to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at New Brunswick for additional treatment. Lindie was later released into police custody. Johnson was charged with one count of aggravated assault while eluding, eluding police, and two counts of aggravated assault with a weapon (vehicle). He also was served with several motor vehicle summonses. His bail has been set at $130,000.
Lindie was charged with hindering apprehension for giving a false name to a law enforcement officer. His bail was set at $1,000. He also had contempt warrants out of the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Union Township, and Atlantic City. Officer Wisnowski reported a hand injury when the Kia struck him while he was on the passenger side during the stop. The Union County Police assisted with the investigation.