Teen Leads Deputies on Chase into Hudson River
A 15-year-old allegedly led Saratoga County Sheriff’s deputies on a high-speed chase Monday before driving into the Hudson River, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident began around 5:22 p.m. when deputies were called about the teen driving a Dodge Ram pickup truck ‘without the owner’s consent.’ Deputies spotted the 15-year-old on Grooms Road in Halfmoon and initiated a pursuit. The teen fled down Route 9 at high speed into Colonie, prompting deputies to terminate the chase for safety reasons and notify Colonie police.
The truck reappeared around 7 p.m. at D&R Village mobile home park in Halfmoon. Deputies attempted to stop the teen again, who fled east down Route 146. The chase continued as the teen crashed into a guardrail at the intersection with Route 4, nearly struck a construction worker on Third Street in Waterford, and drove across a lawn on John Street before entering the Hudson River.
Even after the truck was in the water, the teen attempted to swim across the river to Troy but stopped halfway. Deputies swam out to the teen and took them into custody.
The 15-year-old was charged with felony first-degree reckless endangerment and two misdemeanor counts each of third-degree fleeing a police officer and reckless driving. They were released pending further proceedings in Saratoga County Family Court. Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident.
The swift action by deputies prevented a potentially more serious outcome, highlighting their professionalism in handling the dangerous situation.
