Fire/Rescue News - Truck hits pole, 7-Eleven; DWI charge follows

By ERIC SCOTT CAMPBELL Staff Writer, 609-272-7227 | Posted: Thursday, August 13, 2009 | 4 comments

BRIGANTINE - A wayward pickup truck toppled a traffic-light pole and crashed through the front of a 7-Eleven about 3:30 this morning.

The store's lone occupant, a clerk, had been standing at the far end of the counter and was not injured, police said. Nor was Craig Peters, 40, of Folsom, Pa., but his white Ford pickup was severely damaged.

Peters was charged with driving while intoxicated, on a suspended license, without a seatbelt and in a reckless fashion. He was released on bail to his wife, police said.

The truck penetrated the store's front window about four or five feet, setting off the burglar alarm that summoned police. Several racks of merchandise were knocked down.

The traffic light at 38th Street and Brigantine Boulevard fell across the roadway, causing the traffic light south of it to blink all yellow, police said. The Atlantic County Department of Transportation repaired and reset the signals.