See a video of Brad Bennett describing the rescue.
No charges are expected to be brought in the case of a man who drove his car into the Oswego River Tuesday in Fulton. Fulton, NY – It appears unlikely that the man who drove into the Oswego River in Fulton on Tuesday will face charges, Fulton Police Chief Orlo Green said this morning.
The investigation is wrapping up and it appears that Michael A. Howell, 21, of Oswego, intentionally drove a gold Ford Taurus into the river between Locks 2 and 3 about 1:50 p.m., Green said. That conclusion is based on eyewitness accounts and interviews with Howell, he said.
He said he would not comment on why the incident occurred.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation, which also investigated, will defer to Fulton Police on whether to file charges, DEC Regional Director Ken Lynch said.
A witness, Brad Bennett, and Fulton firefighters helped pull Howell from the water. No one else is believed to have been in the car, which divers found 20 feet from a retaining wall in 15 feet of water. A tow truck pulled the vehicle out about two hours later.
Howell was taken to Oswego Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. He was not listed as being at the hospital this morning, a nursing supervisor said.