By Joanna Putman
Police1
MIAMI — Dash camera footage released by the Florida Highway Patrol shows a high-speed pursuit that ended in a dramatic water rescue of a suspect who attempted to flee authorities by jumping into a lake, NBC Miami reported.
The incident began on May 9 when the suspect reportedly stole a car during a test drive from Honda of South Miami, prompting a BOLO alert, according to the report.
The pursuit started when the stolen car was identified on a freeway. Video shows the suspect driving recklessly, reaching speeds up to 90 mph, maneuvering aggressively through heavy traffic and using the shoulder to go around other vehicles.
The footage shows the suspect striking several vehicles, eventually hitting a truck hard enough to disable the vehicle.
The FHP trooper, who was able to stay close to the suspect during the pursuit, exited his cruiser and approached the vehicle with a gun drawn. As other officers approached, the suspect emerged from the vehicle, climbing onto a concrete ledge.
The suspect then jumped off the ramp and into a lake in an attempt to evade capture. She refused to grab ropes tossed to her from the ramp, leading to several officers entering the water. During the rescue, she reportedly scratched one officer and briefly submerged another.
The suspect was eventually pulled from the water and arrested. She faces multiple charges, including grand theft of a vehicle, two counts of battery on a police officer, fleeing and eluding police, leaving the scene of a crash and resisting an officer, according to the report.
One of the drivers involved in the crash sustained injuries and was hospitalized. The incident is under further investigation by local authorities.