A woman desperately trying to evade officers during a car chase drove into the ocean near Marine del Rey with two dogs in the vehicle. Anastassia Olmos reports for the NBC4 News on March 17, 2024.
In a desperate attempt to evade police officers during a pursuit, a woman drove into the ocean on Saturday with two dogs in the vehicle.
The pursuit began at 11:21 p.m. Saturday near Temple City, according to Officer Erik Larsen of the California Highway Patrol. The unidentified woman was reportedly driving an estimated 78 mph, Larsen said, and allegedly refused to pull over. After eventually making her way to the coast, the woman made the brazen decision to drive head-on into the Pacific Ocean.
Before eventually surrendering, the woman tried to swim away from officers. However, she was ultimately detained, hospitalized and then arrested.
"The helicopters come out and once they put their spotlight down, we could see that she was still swimming," said Fredrick Stevens, who witness the drama unfold.
Get top local stories in Southern California delivered to you every morning. Sign up for NBC LA's News Headlines newsletter.
Her two small dogs survived the impact, with one of them jumping out of the car and running toward a beach parking lot. The other dog was rescued by first responders.
The woman faces potential charges of speeding, evading authorities and animal cruelty, Larsen said. Animal Control has since taken custody of her dogs.
