Man jumps into White River in Anderson to avoid arrest
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MAN JUMPS INTO WHITE RIVER TO AVOID ARREST, REQUIRING RESCUE FROM ANDERSON FIRE DEPARTMENT
A dramatic pursuit through Chesterfield and Anderson culminated in a harrowing river rescue Sunday evening, when a 30-year-old man attempted to evade arrest by jumping into the White River. The incident occurred at approximately 7:30 pm, when Indiana State Police attempted to stop Sebastian Southerland, of Hartford City, for speeding on I-69.
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Southerland, clocked at 89 mph in a 70 mph zone, refused to cooperate with state troopers and led them on a high-speed chase through Chesterfield and into Anderson. Ultimately, Southerland abandoned his vehicle at a dead-end street near the White River, released a female passenger, and sprinted towards the water’s edge.
Despite the challenging conditions, with high water levels and rapid current due to recent storms, Southerland jumped into the river, where he was swept downstream. The Anderson Fire Department responded rapidly to the distress call, and firefighters located Southerland clinging to a pile of brush in the river.
In the process of rescuing Southerland, one Anderson firefighter suffered an injury and was treated at a local hospital before being released. Southerland was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he remains under police supervision in critical condition.
This latest incident adds to a lengthy list of charges against Southerland, who was already wanted on an active arrest warrant for dealing methamphetamine. His new charges include resisting arrest with a vehicle, resisting arrest causing injury, reckless driving, and operating while intoxicated.
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By Ashley Fowler,
9 hours ago
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