Rochester, MN (KROC AM News)  - A Preston man who drove his pickup truck into a retention pond near Apache Mall last weekend and then left it there is now facing criminal charges.

The Minnesota State Patrol says 21-year-old Zachary Finley was later found uninjured - but only after a local tow truck driver spent considerable effort trying to determine if there was anyone in the submerged vehicle.

The Pulver Towing employee spotted vehicle tracks and a damaged light pole in the ditch leading to the pond around 1 p.m. Saturday. He then saw what he believed was the roof of a vehicle and decided to swim to the submerged pickup and broke out the back window to see if anyone was inside. He later pulled the pickup out of the pond and it was confirmed it was unoccupied. A search was also conducted around and in the pond for any possible victims.

The whole time, Finley was safe and sound after apparently getting a ride home. He was located around 4 p.m. Saturday, more than 12 hours after he crashed into the pond. He is now facing hit and run damage to property and inattentive driving charges.

He is scheduled to be arraigned in Olmsted County Court next month.

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