Man faces DUI charges after police say he drove vehicle into river at White's Ferry

DICKERSON, Md. - A man is facing charges of driving under the influence after police say he drove his vehicle through a gate and off of a ferry into the Potomac River. (VIEW PHOTOS OF THE ACCIDENT)

The incident happened around 1:30 a.m. at the White's Ferry river crossing in Dickerson. The caretaker at the crossing told FOX 5's Bob Barnard that he heard screams coming from the pier and ran out of a nearby building to find the driver of the vehicle in the water.

The driver had apparently driven through a gate, onto the ferry, and then off of the ferry and into the water. The caretaker helped the driver from the river. Police arrested the man and charged him with DUI a short time later.

A tow truck crew sent a diver into the river to secure the vehicle before pulling it from the water.

The crossing, which typically opens at 5 a.m., was closed until around 8 a.m.

No injuries were reported.