Man dies after ‘intentionally’ driving into Ohio River during police chase

RISING SUN, Ind. (WXIX) - A driver died Friday after refusing to get out of his vehicle he drove into the Ohio River.

The gold-colored Jeep Liberty was driven into the water “intentionally” by the unidentified man, who was trying to get away from law enforcement, according to Indiana State Police.

Around 12 p.m. Friday, Ohio County deputies and Rising Sun officers began searching a Jeep possibly involved in a crash in rural Ohio County.

Officers found the Jeep near Rising Sun, but the driver took off, state police explained.

The driver took the Jeep to an Ohio River boat ramp near Front Street and 2nd Street in Rising Sun, which is where he went into the water, troopers said.

Officers jumped in the water to free the man, according to state police.

The man remained uncooperative, refusing to come out of the sinking Jeep, troopers explained.

With officers unable to get inside the now submerged vehicle, ISP says divers were called to the scene to go in after the driver.

The man’s body was recovered, and he was pronounced dead at the boat ramp by the Ohio County Coroner’s Office.

The investigation is ongoing, and toxicology results are pending.

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