ANDERSON, Ind. — An interstate chase came to an end after a driver fleeing from state troopers jumped into the White River in Madison County Sunday evening.
According to Indiana State Police, at approximately 5 p.m., a trooper attempted to pull over a white Volkswagen for speeding on Interstate 69, just north of Anderson. When the trooper pulled behind the vehicle, the driver fled southbound, according to police.
Shortly after, the driver exited the interstate onto State Road 32 and led the trooper through Chesterfield and into Anderson. The vehicle turned onto 9th Street and sped toward the White River, which was at the end of a dead-end street, according to police.
Photos courtesy of Lashea McBroom and Nathan Morefield.
ISP says the alleged driver stopped the car and bailed on foot, leaving a female passenger behind. The trooper continued the pursuit on foot as he ran toward the river. The man then jumped into the water.
Authorities said, due to recent storms, the river was moving rapidly and the water level was high. The alleged driver was swept down the driver a short distance, before he clung to a pile of brush in the water.
The Anderson Fire Department responded with water rescue equipment and pulled the man from the water. He was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. A firefighter who jumped in the water was also treated for injuries, but was later released.
The driver of the Volkswagen, 30-year-old Sebastian Southerland of Hartford City. Indiana, is currently under police super vision in a local hospital. The female passenger was not arrested, according to police.
ISP said Southerland had an active arrest warrant for dealing methamphetamine. He now faces the following charges:
- Resisting Arrest with a Vehicle
- Resisting Arrest Causing Injury
- Reckless Driving
- Operating While Intoxicated Endangerment
- Operating While Intoxicated – Controlled Substance
The Madison County Prosecutor’s Office will have the final charging decision. The incident remains under investigation.
