Update: Charles “Chuck” Bogan, 48, was charged with misdemeanor illegal jumping off a bridge Saturday evening, said Major Greg Thompson of Kinston Department of Public Safety.
“He jumped from the bridge as a result of a stunt or thrill,” Thompson said.
Jumping off a bridge is against state law, he said.
Bogan’s stunt caused a crowd to gather at the King Street Bridge about 5:45 p.m. when he stopped his SUV, got out and jumped into the Neuse River on the east side.
“The water was very strong and it swept him down the river quickly,” Thompson said.
Fire, rescue and law enforcement showed up and began searching the river. A Wildlife Resources Commission boat picked him up about 200 yards south of the bridge, Thompson said. Bogan refused to go to the hospital, but was treated and released at the scene.
Bogan, from Kinston but living in Raleigh, was placed under an $8,000 bond and was released on bail.
“He was very apologetic,” Thompson said.
Previous story: A crowd gathered around Herritage and King streets the Saturday late afternoon after a Raleigh man jumped off the King Street Bridge into the Neuse River.
The incident happened about 5:49 p.m., said Chief Bill Johnson of Kinston Department of Public Safety.
Witnesses nearby, who asked not to be named, said they saw a man get out of an SUV and jump into the water.
“He did jump from the Kinston Street Bridge,” Johnson said.
Charles “Chuck” Bogan, 48, jumped off the east side of the bridge, and was picked up about halfway between the bridge and the Highway 70 Bridge by a Wildlife Resources boat, he said.
“The reason for the jump is undetermined,” Johnson said.
Bogan was taken to Lenoir Memorial Hospital where he was being evaluated.
His mother yelled out from King Street to his father on Herritage Street that Bogan was OK, and shortly after they were seen hugging each other.
Johnson said some the family was visibly upset, so they had not been interviewed before press time. At least one person was in the Lincoln Navigator when Bogan jumped.
Several fire departments and their boats, Kinston Fire and Rescue, Lenoir County Emergency Management and Kinston Police responded to the scene.
“The investigation is ongoing,” Johnson said.
Zach Fraileyand Nancy Saunders contributed to this story. Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.
(5:55 p.m.) The King Street Bridge is as of this writing closed while personnel from the Hugo Fire Department, Kinston Fire Department and Wildlife Services search the area.
(6:10 p.m.) Authorities have retrieved a person from the river near King Street bridge. The person appears to be alive.
(Information and photo obtained from the Twitter account of Free Press Photographer Zach Frailey @UprootedPhotos)