A driver whose vehicle plunged into the San Gabriel River near College Park Drive and the Garden Grove (22) freeway this evening managed to free himself and swim to safety, says Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) Public Information Officer Brian Fisk.

LBFD units were dispatched at 5:06PM, when it was reported that a silver vehicle of an unknown type had gone into the river, and the driver was seen swimming around the vehicle. The first units arrived on the scene around 5:17PM.  

Two LBFD divers were able to locate the vehicle, which was submerged under 10 – 15 feet of water, and confirm there were no other passengers in the car.

According to LBFD Public Information Officer Jake Heflin, the vehicle was reportedly traveling southbound on the side of the river, on what may have been the walking path. It appears the vehicle then drove down the embankment and into the water. 

The driver, a male adult, is currently in police custody on suspicion of impaired driving, according to Sgt. Megan Zabel of the Long Beach Police Deparent (LBPD).

The LBPD dive team responded to recover the vehicle from the water.

Due to a noticeable oil sheen on the surface of the water, LBFD has made the appropriate notifications to the Coast Guard, the Office of Emergency Services, the Department of Fish and Game, and Long Beach Health Department HazMat, said Helfin.

No other information is currently available. The incident is currently under investigation. We will update this story as we learn more.