UPDATED: Man rescued from vehicle after pickup plunges into Barcelona Harbor after chase
An apparent car chase has led to a vehicle in the water in Barcelona. Law enforcement and responders were at the Barcelona Harbor where a pickup could be seen in the waters before 8 a.m. Friday. The incident took place around 7 a.m. Photos by Dan Kohler
An apparent car chase has led to a vehicle in the water in Barcelona. Law enforcement and responders were at the Barcelona Harbor where a pickup could be seen in the waters before 8 a.m. Friday. The incident took place around 7 a.m. Photos by Dan Kohler
An apparent car chase has led to a vehicle in the water in Barcelona. Law enforcement and responders were at the Barcelona Harbor where a pickup could be seen in the waters before 8 a.m. Friday. The incident took place around 7 a.m. Photos by Dan Kohler
An apparent car chase has led to a vehicle in the water in Barcelona. Law enforcement and responders were at the Barcelona Harbor where a pickup could be seen in the waters before 8 a.m. Friday. The incident took place around 7 a.m. Photos by Dan Kohler
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WESTFIELD – A Rochester man faces charges after leading police on a chase that ended up with a truck being driven into Lake Erie.
At 6:47 a.m. Friday, Westfield police officers saw a motor vehicle stopped in the eastbound lane of East Main Street obstructing the normal flow of traffic. Officers attempted to make contact with the operator, who was later identified as Lutheter Younger, 52, of Rochester. As officers approached the vehicle, Younger sped away and, according to a police report, and allegedly began operating the vehicle in an erratic manner. Officers say Younger allegedly continued driving recklessly through portions of the village and town of Westfield.
The pursuit ultimately came to an end when the vehicle struck a heavy-duty cable barrier, causing the vehicle to leave the road and enter Lake Erie.
As a precaution, the Chautauqua County SWAT Team was requested to assist with the incident. Members of the SWAT Team were able to safely remove Younger from the lake without further incident. Younger was taken to a medical facility for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
Following the investigation, Younger was charged with second-degree criminal mischief and unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle as well as traffic citations charging him with leaving the scene of a property damage accident, no stopping/standing on a highway, speeding, second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, failure to keep right, moving from lane unsafely, reckless driving, failing to comply with a lawful order, unregistered motor vehicle and no insurance.
Younger is scheduled to appear in Town of Westfield Court at a later date and time.
Additionally, Younger is currently the subject of an ongoing investigation regarding alleged damage to patrol vehicles belonging to assisting law enforcement agencies during the incident. Further charges may be pending as the investigation continues.
The Westfield Police Department was assisted during this incident by the Chautauqua County SWAT Team and other assisting agencies.