Man Rescued After Fleeing a Breath Test and Driving Into the Sea in Changwon

A man in his 30s was rescued from the sea near Changwon after refusing a police breath test and fleeing in his vehicle.

The incident occurred near Gwangam Port in Jindong-myeon, Masanhappo-gu, at about 10:59 p.m. The police reported that the driver had fallen into the water with his vehicle, prompting the Changwon Coast Guard to respond.

Coast guard officers found him at about 11:03 p.m. as the vehicle was sinking and entered the water to rescue him. Officials said he had no health problems and that no other passengers were in the vehicle.

Police said the man had refused a request for an alcohol test on a road in Jindong-myeon and then drove about 4 kilometers before plunging into the sea. One police officer who tried to stop him suffered an abrasion to the arm.

Police took the man into custody from the coast guard and are investigating him on suspicion of special obstruction of official duties and violating the Road Traffic Act by refusing an alcohol test.