Ocean City Councilman Faces Drunken Driving Charge

Ocean City Councilman Scott Ping was charged by police with driving under the influence after a single-car crash March 15 on Ocean Drive between Longport and Ocean City.

Marvin Scott Ping, 64, also faces charges for the traffic offenses of reckless driving and unsafe lane change, according to an arrest report from the Egg Harbor Township Police Department. The time of arrest is listed at 11:53 p.m. Friday, March 15. 

Ping was injured in the crash and was transported for medical care, but he is recovering at home.

The arrest report includes no other detail on the incident, and further information was not immediately available from the Egg Harbor Township police.

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Update: EHT police on Monday (March 25) released some details on the crash.
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Ping was first elected as an at-large councilman in 2006 and served as council president in 2009. He was re-elected in 2010 and has one year remaining in his four-year term.

Ping is a co-owner of Boyar’s Market on Asbury Avenue. 

"I had a car accident eights days ago. I find it hardly newsworthy," Ping said in a written statement on Saturday, after asking for a day to prepare it. "I was the only one injured. NO ONE ELSE was involved. The court system will decide if I am guilty of anything other than having an accident. Must be a really slow news week if you feel this is something write about."

New Jersey statutes do not require forfeiture of public office for DWI accusations or convictions.

Ocean City's Code of Ethics states that "no officer or employee shall use or attempt to use his or her official position to secure unwarranted privileges or advantages for himself, herself or others." It does not address offenses unrelated to conflicts of interest.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Ping is sole owner of Boyar's Market. He is one of four partners. Ocean City Patch apologizes for the error.