Woman Who Allegedly Jumped From Bay Bridge After Accident Arrested In Oakland
OAKLAND (CBS SF) -- A woman who allegedly evaded arrest last month by jumping into the water after crashing a stolen car on the Bay Bridge was arrested today in Oakland, according to the California Highway Patrol.
After receiving information that the woman was staying in Oakland, officers located and arrested 25-year-old Erlynn Sanchez-Edwards on suspicion of vehicle theft, receiving a stolen vehicle, hit-and-run causing injury, resisting arrest and driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury.
CHP officers driving west on the Bay Bridge spotted the crash on the bridge's eastern span at about 2 a.m. on Aug. 12, CHP Officer Vu Williams said.
The officers saw a 2014 Nissan Maxima spinning out in the eastbound lanes and turned around at Treasure Island to investigate.
Once they got back to the crash site, the officers found the vehicle abandoned and saw three women standing on the bridge.
The women had apparently gotten out of the car and climbed over the railing to the bridge's bicycle and pedestrian walkway, CHP officials said.
As the CHP officers approached, one of the women, who was later identified as Sanchez-Edwards, climbed over the second rail on the edge of the bridge and then either jumped or fell into the water, Williams said.
Officers saw her floating until she went under the bridge and they lost sight of her. Officers were able to recover her identification card, but otherwise found no sign of her.
Some witnesses reported seeing her get out of the water and being picked up at the toll plaza by a dump truck, Williams said.
Officers later determined the Nissan was reported stolen out of Los Angeles. Williams said the women that Sanchez-Edwards was with did not know her well and were questioned and released, Williams said.
Later in the day, a dump truck driver told the CHP he had picked up the soaking-wet woman and drove her to San Francisco. His description of the woman matched that of the CHP officer.
CHP Capt. Christopher Sherry lauded the CHP officers and investigators who worked on identifying witnesses and investigative leads that resulted in the arrest of Sanchez-Edwards.
"The safe apprehension of this suspect would not be possible without their help," Sherry said.
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