HE DIVES ON DRIVE

Emergency service personnel are shown in the top photo staged along Metropolitan Avenue on the Brooklyn/Queens border after a car plunged into Newtown Creek on Sunday morning, Nov. 23. Below, a scuba diver is pictured canvassing the cloudy waters of the creek for possible victims. (photos: Joseph Epstein) After taking the plunge with his vehicle into Newtown Creek on the Brooklyn/Queens border early on Sunday morning, Nov. 23, a driver reportedly managed to escape from the sinking vehicle and fled from the scene without calling for help.

Police said that 21-year-old Brian Espinal of South Third Street in Williamsburg was taken into custody on reckless endangerment charges after he returned to the scene of the accident while emergency personnel scoured the creek for possible victims.

Authorities later determined that Espinal was alone inside his vehicle at the time of the accident.

Law enforcement sources said the accident occurred at around 6:40 a.m. Sunday morning along Metropolitan Avenue near Scott Avenue.

Reportedly, Espinal was behind the wheel of a 1997 Toyota Camry traveling eastbound along Metropolitan Avenue.

According to information obtained by police, the suspect was observed allegedly traveling at a high rate of speed, crossing over the double-yellow line and dodging oncoming traffic.

Moments later, law enforcement sources said, the suspect's vehicle lost control and crashed into the guardrail before splashing into the Newtown Creek.

Following the crash, police noted, the suspect exited his vehicle, waded back to the shore and made his way back onto the avenue on foot. Reportedly, he hailed a livery cab traveling on Metropolitan Avenue and fled from the scene.

Members of the 104th and 90th precincts responded to the scene along with various emergency service personnel, including the NYPD Harbor, Scuba and Emergency Services units, Engine Company 291, Ladder Company 140, Squad Company 252, Rescues 2 and 4, FDNY Marine Unit 6, Battalion 28 and EMS units.

Divers searched the creek for possible survivors of the crash and found none, Fire Department sources said. No one was located inside the vehicle after it was pulled from the waterway a short time later, police said.

Several hours after first responders began searching the creek, police said, Espinal returned to the scene and was later arrested after questioning by police.

The suspect was charged with reckless endangerment and reckless driving, law enforcement sources noted.

Espinal was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court the following day, Monday, Nov. 24 and was released on his own recognizance, according to court records.