Driver arrested after plunging car into Tennessee River during high-speed chase

A driver fled police at high speed before driving his vehicle into the Tennessee River. Fernando Jose Pascula-Tomas was arrested and charged with felony evading arrest.

Car enters Tennessee River after Loudon County police chase

A high-speed pursuit in Loudon County ended in the Tennessee River early Sunday morning, wvlt.tv reports, after the fleeing driver drove his vehicle down a boat ramp and into the water.

The driver, identified as Fernando Jose Pascula-Tomas, escaped the sinking car without injury and was subsequently arrested. He faces charges of felony evading arrest, driving on a revoked or suspended licence, and multiple traffic citations.

The chase began just after midnight when Loudon County Deputy Jesse Garren observed a black Dodge Charger travelling northbound on Interstate 75 at speed, with no headlights on. When Garren attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the driver refused to comply and accelerated. The pursuit moved off the interstate onto Pond Creek Road, then continued along Highway 11 through Philadelphia and into the City of Loudon.

Deputies and officers from the Loudon Police Department eventually lost sight of the Charger near Loudon High School, at which point law enforcement terminated the chase.

Moments later, a 911 caller reported that a vehicle had sped down the Ferry Street boat ramp and entered the Tennessee River at high speed. Officers from Loudon Police rushed to the scene, where they located and detained Pascula-Tomas. Deputy Garren arrived shortly after and formally placed him under arrest.

The vehicle submerged completely. Emergency crews — including the Loudon Fire Department, Loudon County Emergency Management, the Loudon County Dive Team, and James Towing — worked to recover the sunken vehicle from the river. Priority Ambulance Service also assisted at the scene.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)