Fleeing Driver Drowns After Montville Crash: Police

A Virginia man drowned in the Thames River in Montville on Sunday while trying to run from police after a high-speed chase and crash, according to State Police.

State police said Jarmal Robinson, 24, of Norfolk, Virginia, sped away from police in an Enterprise rental car when a Ledyard officer tried to conduct a motor vehicle stop.

Robinson led the officer on a high-speed chase from Route 12 in Ledyard to Route 2a westbound in Montville and continued to speed onto Exit 2, police said.

Robinson ran a red light and collided with a 2004 Honda Accord just before 1 a.m. on Mohegan Sun Boulevard in Montville, according to the accident report. Robinson then abandoned the silver Buick LaCross he was driving and fled on foot, State Police said.

Robinson jumped into the Thames River to escape troopers, State Police said, but he struggled while swimming away and went under.

Boats from the U.S. Coast Guard and Norwich Fire Department searched the river for Robinson. The Coast Guard found him, but was unable to revive him, State Police said.

State Police notified the family of Robinson's passing.

Meanwhile, Michael Dean, 38, of Moosup, who was driving the Accord involved in the crash with Robinson's vehicle, was transported to Backus Hospital in Norwich to be treated for non-incapacitating injuries, along with his passengers – Carol D. Culver, 56, of Taftville, Doreen Kizer, 42, of Moosup, Sabrina Lynn Bouvier, 20, of Moosup, and a 12-year-old girl.

Three passengers in Robinson's car – Joshua Jr. Nevith, 25, of Mystic, Shawn Tyson, 23, of Groton, and Quentin Hodges, 24, of Groton – refused medical treatment, according to State Police.

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