Hot Pursuit Ends In Cold Swim In Putnam

SOUTHEAST, NY — A police chase ended dramatically Feb. 23 in Southeast. A Brewster man crashed into a pond off Route 22 while trying to evade a Putnam County sheriff's deputy.

According to police, at about 1:17 a.m. Deputy Sheriff Michael Diveglio saw a car speeding northbound on Route 22. He also saw it run a red light at the Route 312 intersection, almost causing an accident with another vehicle.

The deputy activated his emergency lights to try to stop the car but it sped on, at more than 100 miles per hour, police alleged.

Diveglio lost sight of the car. Then he got to the intersection of Route 22 and Doansburg Road and began to canvass the area. Finally he saw a damaged guard-rail and the car floating in a pond located on the other side of the guardrail.

The car apparently had failed to navigate a turn, crashed through the guardrail, went airborne, landed in the middle of the pond, and became submerged.

The driver, Mercer B. Given, 32. was observed climbing out of it. He swam through the icy water, was arrested on shore, and taken to the hospital.

A dive team confirmed there were no other occupants in the vehicle and hooked up a tow line. The car was hauled out of the water by a local towing company.

State Environmental Conservation Officer Kevin Wamsley determined that oil spilled into the pond, as well.

Given was arrested and charged with Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, a felony, Driving While Intoxicated and several traffic violations. ECO Wamsley also issued a ticket to him for polluting waters in contravention of standards.

He was arraigned by the Honorable Kevin Douchkoff of the Kent Justice Court and released for a future court date in the Town of Southeast.

Deputy Frank McDonough, and Sergeant Timothy Keith assisted Deputy Diveglio at the scene. Additionally, Brewster Fire Department members and the Mahopac Falls Dive Team assisted with removing the car from the pond.

PHOTO/ DEC