A 35-year-old Hoquiam man, who was attempting to elude police, plunged into the Hoquiam River, and his whereabouts are still unknown.
Thu Sep 15th, 2016 8:30am
Hoquiam Police officers were dispatched at 8:08 a.m. Wednesday morning to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the area of Sanderling Drive and East Hoquiam Road. As an officer was en route to the area, he recognized a 35-year-old Hoquiam man in the area of Broadway Avenue.
HPD had prior contacts with the individual and knew he had an outstanding felony warrant from the Department of Corrections. When the officer attempted to contact the man, he ran to the Hoquiam River and jumped in, attempting to swim across. The subject appeared to be wearing a heavy coat and backpack.
As the subject reached the middle of the river, he grabbed onto a piling and held onto it for a time. The subject then pushed off of the piling and submerged. Personnel on the scene did not see him resurface.
A search-and-rescue operation was initiated with vessels from the Cosmopolis Fire Department, Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office, and a civilian participating. The Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter from Astoria to assist.
Officials searched until approximately 3 p.m. but were unable to locate the man. The search will resume today with the assistance of the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office dive team.