JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A man, who was chased by police Tuesday afternoon after an attempted stop on Philips Highway, drove onto the Fuller Warren Bridge and jumped into the St. Johns River, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said.
His body was recovered Tuesday night, but his identity has not been released.
Recommended Videos
Police said the man was pulled over on Philips Highway in the South Metro area for driving with his flashers on. As an officer was speaking with the driver, a second officer pulled up, and that's when the driver took off, up the ramp to Interstate 95, the Sheriff's Office said.
While on the Fuller Warren Bridge, another officer spotted the car with smoke coming out from under the hood. The driver stopped, got out and ran along the bridge before jumping over the rail into the water, police said.
Before officers could drop flotation devices to him, he went under, the Sheriff's Office said.
Jacksonville Fire and Rescue crews, Coast Guard personnel and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers were called to search the water for the man, who was found later that night.
It is believed he is from out of state and was not the owner of the car.