N.J. Man Cited After SUV Crashes Through Frozen Pond at Golf Course

The driver left the scene and spent the night at a local hotel before returning the next day.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A 50-year-old Hoboken, New Jersey man was cited by police in East Lampeter Township, Pennsylvania after he drove his SUV onto a golf course, crashed through a frozen pond, and then left the scene, spending the night at a local hotel before returning the next day.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the dangers of driving on frozen bodies of water, as well as the potential legal consequences for leaving the scene of an accident. Golf courses are private property, so trespassing with a motor vehicle can also result in criminal charges.

The details

According to police, the man drove his SUV onto the Lancaster Country Club golf course around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday and crashed through the ice on a frozen pond. He then exited the vehicle and left the scene, spending the night at a local hotel. The next day, the man returned to the vehicle and was encountered by police officers who were investigating the incident. He was cited under Pennsylvania law with 'trespass by motor vehicle' and issued a court summons.

  • On Wednesday at 8:30 p.m., the man drove his SUV onto the golf course and crashed through the frozen pond.
  • On Thursday around 10:40 a.m., police were called to the golf course and found the partially submerged SUV.

The players

50-year-old Hoboken man

The driver of the SUV who crashed through the frozen pond and left the scene before returning the next day.

East Lampeter Township Police

The law enforcement agency that responded to the incident, found the partially submerged SUV, and cited the driver.

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What they’re saying

“The driver 'exited the vehicle and walked away without reporting the incident and spent the night at a local hotel,'”

— East Lampeter Township Police (nj.com)

What’s next

The judge will decide whether to allow the man to be released on bail at a hearing next week.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of driving on frozen bodies of water and the legal consequences that can arise from leaving the scene of an accident, even on private property like a golf course.