TONAWANDA, NY - A 36-year-old man died earlier in March after he reportedly jumped into the Erie Canal following a foot pursuit that ensued with local law enforcement in Tonawanda, New York, stemming from an early morning traffic stop.
Authorities out of Tonawanda are currently withholding the identity of a 36-year-old male suspect who reportedly died on March 26 pending notification of the decedent’s next of kin, stating that the suspect died after jumping into the Erie Canal while attempting to flee from pursuing officers on foot.
In a press release from the City of Tonawanda Police Department (CTPD), officials say the incident began as an attempted traffic stop at approximately 1:12 a.m. after officers observed: “a gray Volvo sedan commit a Vehicle and Traffic Law infraction at the intersection of Main Street and Niagara Street.”
After CTPD officers initiated the traffic stop, the driver of the Volvo reportedly exited the vehicle and fled on foot on Webster Street, cutting through a nearby alley “towards Gateway Harbor along the Erie Canal” before taking the plunge into the water. According to CTPD officials, a “water rescue bag” was deployed to assist the suspect in getting safely to shore. However, authorities say the suspect “became unconscious” while being retrieved with the rescue bag, leading to an officer entering the water and bringing the suspect to shore.
Life-saving measures were reportedly rendered by officers on the scene before the suspect was transported by ambulance to Kenmore Mercy Hospital, where the suspect was unfortunately pronounced deceased after his arrival.
Investigators later determined the deceased suspect had two active warrants from differing law enforcement agencies out of Erie County at the time of the incident, although officials have yet to elaborate as to the nature of the charges relating to the outstanding warrants.
Given the outcome of the incident, CTPD officials confirmed that the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, alongside the New York State Attorney General’s Office have been briefed on the incident.
Authorities out of Tonawanda are currently withholding the identity of a 36-year-old male suspect who reportedly died on March 26 pending notification of the decedent’s next of kin, stating that the suspect died after jumping into the Erie Canal while attempting to flee from pursuing officers on foot.
In a press release from the City of Tonawanda Police Department (CTPD), officials say the incident began as an attempted traffic stop at approximately 1:12 a.m. after officers observed: “a gray Volvo sedan commit a Vehicle and Traffic Law infraction at the intersection of Main Street and Niagara Street.”
After CTPD officers initiated the traffic stop, the driver of the Volvo reportedly exited the vehicle and fled on foot on Webster Street, cutting through a nearby alley “towards Gateway Harbor along the Erie Canal” before taking the plunge into the water. According to CTPD officials, a “water rescue bag” was deployed to assist the suspect in getting safely to shore. However, authorities say the suspect “became unconscious” while being retrieved with the rescue bag, leading to an officer entering the water and bringing the suspect to shore.
Life-saving measures were reportedly rendered by officers on the scene before the suspect was transported by ambulance to Kenmore Mercy Hospital, where the suspect was unfortunately pronounced deceased after his arrival.
Investigators later determined the deceased suspect had two active warrants from differing law enforcement agencies out of Erie County at the time of the incident, although officials have yet to elaborate as to the nature of the charges relating to the outstanding warrants.
Given the outcome of the incident, CTPD officials confirmed that the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, alongside the New York State Attorney General’s Office have been briefed on the incident.
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