Off-Duty LI Officer Charged With DWI After Driving Into Water: PD

SHELTER ISLAND, NY — An off-duty, part-time traffic control officer for the Shelter Island Police Department was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated after he crashed through a fence and a gazebo and ended up in the water Thursday night, police said.

According to Shelter Island police, the incident took place at 8:51 p.m. John C. Gilligan, 41, of Shelter Island, was driving at an "imprudent speed" and failed to stop at a stop sign, police said. He then left the roadway at Crescent Beach, drove through the fence and pavilion, and ended up partially submerged in the water, where his vehicle came to a stop, police said.

He was arrested and charged with DWI, first offense; aggravated DWI; speed violation, imprudent speed; moving from lane unsafely; failing to keep right; and failing to stop at a stop sign, police said.

He was held overnight and later arraigned at Shelter Island Justice Court, where he was released and ordered to return to court at a later date, police said.

Gilligan is no longer employed with the Shelter Island Police Department, police said.