Man Flees From Police, Tries To Escape On GWB: Authorities

FORT LEE, NJ - A Georgia man was charged with reckless endangerment after he tried fleeing from police, first in his car, then on foot, on the George Washington Bridge Friday afternoon, authorities said.

Port Authority Police Officer saw a 2008 Lexus head east from Fort Lee toward New York City through the toll booth without paying, said Port Authority spokesman Joseph Pentangelo.

A Port Authority police officer tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver, John Carlos Y. Espinal, 24, sped away onto the bridge’s lower level, Pentangelo said.

The Lexus hit a van and Espinal then ran away, but was caught by a Port Authority police officer and resisted, Pentangelo said.

The Lexus was impounded. Espinal was charged with reckless endangerment, leaving the scene of an accident, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, reckless driving, failure to obey direction of a police officer, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, driving without a license and insurance, and driving an unregistered vehicle.

Espinal’s driver’s license was also suspended in New York and Georgia.

Photo: The damaged van and Lexus that were involved in the accident on the side of the road on the George Washington Bridge/Port Authority of New York and New Jersey