NYPD

Off-Duty Coast Guardsman Tackles Driver Trying to Flee Scene of Crash: Police, Sources

The man may have been intoxicated when the incident took place, police said

What to Know

  • A driver allegedly crashed into several cars in Brooklyn, then dropped a gun as he tried to leave the scene, police said
  • At some point during the incident, the man allegedly drove on the sidewalk, according to police
  • Police who arrived at the scene found civilians holding the man in custody

An off-duty Coast Guardsman tackled a driver who allegedly crashed into several cars in Brooklyn and dropped a gun as he tried to flee the scene, officials said.

Police responding to two calls reporting an accident and a person with a gun near Troy Avenue and President Street in Crown Heights around 2:30 p.m. on Friday found civilians holding a man in custody, the NYPD said.

A preliminary investigation determined the man was driving a Jaguar sedan that hit several cars on President Street, police said.

At some point during the incident, the man allegedly jumped a curb and drove onto the sidewalk, according to police.

The man then got out of his vehicle and tried to walk away, at which point a civilian saw him drop a gun and tackled him, the NYPD said.

Sources told News 4 the civilian was an off-duty Coast Guard member. 

A spokesperson for the United States Coast Guard confirmed that the incident involved a New York area Coast Guardsman "acting in the capacity of a good Samaritan." 

Police say the driver may have been intoxicated when the incident took place. His name wasn't immediately released and charges are pending.

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