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Police: Driver Texting Before Crash In Danvers River

DANVERS (CBS) – A texting driver crashed into a river late Monday night and survived, police said Tuesday.

22-year-old Gerald Maher of Danvers was driving on Route 34 heading towards Peabody just before midnight when he became distracted, hit a snowbank, went through a guardrail and into the Waters River.

Police say he was distracted because he was texting while driving.

Maher managed to get out of the car and out of the water. He was treated for minor injuries.

There was no one else in the car.

However, his 1999 Nissan Altima is still in the river. Dive teams tried to get it out, but gave up after four hours.

Maher will be summoned to court for negligent operation and texting while driving.

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