Beer-drinking woman launches SUV into river, keeps drinking, cops say

YORK, Pa. — Police pulled into a York Haven boat launch Monday afternoon behind a woman, looking to arrest her for fleeing from them. Before they could, she gunned the engine, barreling into the Susquehanna River.

The acceleration from the black 2011 Subaru Outback propelled the SUV about 20 feet offshore, Newberry Township Police Sgt. Keith Farren said Tuesday.

When officers tried to talk with the woman, she ignored them, Farren said.

"She stayed in the car and continued to drink her beer," he said.

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The officers called the fire department, and a boat was used to get to the woman and bring her back to shore.

The incident began that day, sometime between 4 and 5 p.m. when Northeastern Regional Police saw the Subaru blow through a stop sign in East Manchester Township, Northeastern Chief Bryan Rizzo said.

"She failed to yield (to police) and we believe the driver was attempting to elude the officer," Rizzo said. "We called it off when we were heading into Newberry Township."

Northeastern officers traced the Subaru's license plate to a home in York Haven and were on their way there when Newberry Township Police radioed that they had spotted the vehicle.

Farren said when he heard of Northeastern's chase, he went to the Conewago Boat Launch Area, known to locals as "The Point."

"A lot of people hide from us down there," Farren said.

Farren, along with two Northeastern officers, blocked the woman in and tried to talk with her.

"For whatever reason, she decides to drive into the river," Newberry Police Chief John Snyder said.

"She was in and out of consciousness," when police and firefighters reached her, Farren said.

The woman was taken to York Hospital and police continue to investigate. Police had not released her name as of Tuesday afternoon.

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