UPDATE: Rochester man charged after chase ends in Lake Erie
Police agencies Friday morning at Barcelona Harbor. Photo by Dan Kohler
The pickup truck in Lake Erie on Friday morning. Photo by Dan Kohler
Police agencies Friday morning at Barcelona Harbor. Photo by Dan Kohler
The pickup truck in Lake Erie on Friday morning. Photo by Dan Kohler
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A Rochester man who led police on a high-speed chase through the village and towns of Westfield before plunging his vehicle into Barcelona Harbor is facing numerous charges.
Westfield Police Department, in a Facebook post, report that around 6:47 a.m. Friday, officers observed a motor vehicle stopped in the eastbound lane of East Main Street, obstructing the normal flow of traffic.
Officers attempted to make contact with the operator, who was later identified as Lutheter Younger, 52. As officers approached the vehicle, Younger accelerated away at a high rate of speed and began operating the vehicle in an erratic manner.
Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, resulting in a vehicle pursuit. The vehicle continued to be operated in a reckless manner. The pursuit ultimately came to an end when the vehicle struck a heavy-duty cable barrier, causing the vehicle to leave the road and enter Lake Erie.
As a precaution, the Chautauqua County SWAT Team was requested to assist with the incident. Members of the SWAT Team were able to safely remove Younger from the lake without further incident.
Younger was transported to a medical facility for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
Following the investigation, Younger was charged with leaving the scene of a property damage accident, speeding in a school zone, second-degree unlicensed operation, failure to keep right, moving from lane unsafely, reckless driving, no insurance as well as second-degree criminal mischief and unlawful fleeing of a police officer in a motor vehicle.
Younger is to be in Town of Westfield Court later.
Additionally, Younger is currently the subject of an ongoing investigation regarding alleged damage to patrol vehicles belonging to assisting law enforcement agencies during the incident. Further charges may be pending as the investigation continues.
The Westfield Police Department was assisted during this incident by the Chautauqua County SWAT Team and other assisting agencies.