Drunk South Jersey Man Crashes Stores, Starts Fire On Christmas

A New Jersey man drove off a road and crashed into several stores, starting a fire on Christmas Day, police said.

Rowan Arlan, 20, of Somers Point, the driver of a stolen vehicle, was arrested after the crash in downtown Atlantic City, police said.

The accident happened at 4:32 a.m., when patrol officers, ambulance personnel, and the Atlantic City Fire Department responded to the 3300 block of Atlantic Avenue and found a building on fire.

First responders arrived to find a pick-up truck that had left the roadway and smashed through the front of several stores. Above the stores were apartments that were occupied, and had to be evacuated.

Arlan was removed from the vehicle by a citizen and was transported to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Division, with unknown injuries, police said.

Officers Michael Oldroyd and Fitzroy Simpson arrived and began to evacuate residents from their apartments. The adjoining apartment building was also evacuated as a precaution, police said.

Witnesses reported seeing the vehicle driving at a high rate of speed before leaving the road and crashing. Shortly after 8 a.m., the vehicle was reported stolen in Pleasantville.

About 10 people were safely removed from their apartments and are now being assisted by the American Red Cross.

Arlan was charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, careless driving, suspended driver, possession of a controlled dangerous substance (marijuana), and receiving stolen property.

This investigation is being led by Officer Fitzroy Simpson. Anyone with information about this accident is urged to contact the Atlantic City Police Department Accident Investigations Section at 609-347-5744 or text anonymously to tip411 (847411). Begin the text with ACPD.

Photos: Atlantic City Fire Dept Firefighters IAFF L198‏ @AtlanticCityFD