Man charged after drowning report

By Elisa Glushefski

Published: July 22, 2008

A Northern Virginia man thought to have drowned Tuesday was found an hour later walking on nearby train tracks. He was charged with public intoxication.

William James of Tysons Corner will be held overnight at the Prince William-Manassas regional jail until he is sober, said Officer Erika Hernandez,

police spokeswoman. He then will be released on a summons. No court date was available.

Hernandez did not know James' exact age, but said he is in his early 30s.

Prince William County Fire and Rescue got the original call about a possible drowning in the Potomac River near Tim's Rivershore Restaurant & Crabhouse at the end of Cherry Hill Road about 5:48 p.m., said Battalion Chief Jim Forgo with the county fire department.

When firefighters arrived at Tim's Rivershore, they were given conflicting stories, Forgo said.

One person said James might be in the water and another said he had left the restaurant property.

About an hour after the call, police officers found James near Powells Creek on the Leesylvania State Park side, Forgo said.

Fireboats from Fairfax County, Quantico and Charles County, Md., were sent out to begin search operations.

Dive teams that were on the scene had not been deployed when the man was found, Forgo said.

Local fire and rescue responders also had help from the Maryland State Police helicopter.

Staff writer Elisa Glushefski can be reached at 703-878-8062.