Car Crashes Into Pied Piper Swim School Pool; Driver Charged With DWI

ISLAND HEIGHTS, NJ — A Seaside Heights man was charged with driving while intoxicated after his car crashed through the side of Pied Piper Swim School on Route 37 on Saturday, Island Heights police said.

Robert Bjorklund, 52, was arrested at the scene of the crash, which happened about 5:15 p.m. Saturday, police said.

Bjorklund's silver Nissan crashed through the east wall of the swim school and his car came to rest partially submerged in the pool, photos of the crash scene show. By the time police arrived Bjorklund was already out of the car. Ocean County Scanner News reported a woman who was cleaning the day care next door heard the crash and helped Bjorklund out of the car.

The school was closed at the time of the crash.

The Island Heights Volunteer Fire Company responded and with the help of the Toms River Special Operations Team stabilized and removed pieces of the wall to allow a tow truck from Priced Rite Towing to remove the car from the pool and the building.

"All of the agencies worked together to help get the car out while minimizing damage as much as possible," the fire company said in its post on Facebook about the crash.

After the Island Heights First Aid Squad checked Bjorklund out, police were able to investigate and determined he was driving under the influence, Island Heights police said. He also was issued multiple traffic summonses and released pending a future court date, police said.

The Toms River Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff's Department also responded.

This crash investigation was conducted by Island Heights Traffic Safety Officer Zappola. Officers on scene included Detective Curtis and Patrolmen Bellomy and Mellott.

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