ARLINGTON, Va. — Two people are in custody after a chase that began on 18th Street and South Crystal Drive in Arlington ended in the cold water near Roaches Run just off the George Washington Parkway.
Virginia State Police spokesperson Corinne Geller tells WUSA9 that it began just before 1 a.m. on Wednesday when a trooper came across a vehicle displaying a license plate that didn't match the registration. They say the trooper tried to pull the car over, but the driver refused to stop and sped away, initiating a pursuit.
The car was traveling north on Interstate 395 when the trooper attempted to contain the vehicle as it was on the right shoulder. After a crash between the car and a VSP cruiser, both vehicles spun out. The driver and passenger of the suspect vehicle bailed out and then ran away.
Arlington County Police and Fairfax County Police resources were deployed to assist Virginia State Police. They spotted the suspects just before 2 a.m., hiding near Roaches Run. As police approached, the suspects jumped into the water and started swimming toward GW Parkway, before stopping and hiding in the water to avoid police.
Arlington County Fire and Rescue's water rescue team put boats into the water where they found the suspects and took them into custody without further incident. Both were taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for exposure to cold water temperatures. Charges are pending, according to investigators.
Troopers thought the two might have been women, but in radio traffic, they said one might have been a man. Rescuers say when they pulled them out of the water, they were so cold they were curled up in a fetal position and not moving.
Police said potential charges include felony eluding and felony hit and run.
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