Emergency

POND LIFE: Car Thief Abandons Pregnant Girlfriend After Crashing Into Freezing River

A heavily pregnant woman who cannot swim was plucked from a river by cops after her boyfriend fled when he crashed a stolen truck into the water.

The dramatic rescue took place at the Tualatin River, in Washington County, in the US state of Oregon, at around 2.10am on 30th March, after a police chase.

In a statement obtained by Newsflash, Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) said: “On March 30, 2022, at 2:08 a.m., a Washington County Sheriff’s Office sergeant contacted a vehicle parked on the side of SW Minter Bridge Road, near the Tualatin River.

The suspect Jonathan Michael Laura (32) crashed into the Tualatin River in a stolen pickup and fled, leaving behind his pregnant girlfriend in Washington County in Oregon in the United States on the 30th of March 2022. (Washington County Sheriff’s Office/Newsflash)

“The woman told the sergeant the vehicle, a 1992 Nissan pickup, was out of gas, and her boyfriend was on his way to get more.

“The female told the sergeant they did not need any assistance.

“The sergeant began to drive away but soon learned the truck was stolen. The sergeant and several deputies attempted to contact the woman and vehicle again, but the vehicle drove off as they approached.”

The suspect Jonathan Michael Laura (32) crashed into the Tualatin River in a stolen pickup and fled, leaving behind his pregnant girlfriend in Washington County in Oregon in the United States on the 30th of March 2022. (@WCSOOregon/Newsflash)

The police added: “Deputies saw a male was driving the vehicle, and the female they contacted earlier was in the passenger seat.

WCSO continued: “Deputies tried to pull the vehicle over, but it sped away and turned into a nearby field adjacent to the Tualatin River. The truck’s driver drove through the field for about 300 yards, off a steep embankment, and into the Tualatin River.”

The driver climbed out of the vehicle and swam to the far riverbank before running off into the woods with a dog that was with the couple.

The suspect Jonathan Michael Laura (32) crashed into the Tualatin River in a stolen pickup and fled, leaving behind his pregnant girlfriend in Washington County in Oregon in the United States on the 30th of March 2022. (@WCSOOregon/Newsflash)

The police said: “The female passenger exited the vehicle and yelled to deputies that she could not swim as she began to float down the river in the current.

“A deputy removed their duty belt and vest then jumped into the river, while another deputy retrieved a throw rope. The deputy in the water swam to the woman while the other threw them the rope.”

While cops pulled the woman out of the river, she told them that she was six months pregnant.

The suspect Jonathan Michael Laura (32) crashed into the Tualatin River in a stolen pickup and fled, leaving behind his pregnant girlfriend in Washington County in Oregon in the United States on the 30th of March 2022. (@WCSOOregon/Newsflash)

WCSO stated that officers “took care to ensure she was safely brought to the shore” and “searched for the male driver and dog but did not locate them”.

The pregnant woman was taken to a nearby hospital and later released with no significant injuries.

The police said: “The male driver was not located and has been identified as 32-year-old Jonathan Michael Laura.

Deputies rescued a pregnant woman from drowning after her boyfriend drove them into the Tualatin River while fleeing in a stolen pickup in Washington County in Oregon in the United States on the 30th of March 2022. (Washington County Sheriff’s Office/Newsflash)

“Later in the morning, deputies with our Remotely Operated Vehicle Team, and Washington County Animal Services, were able to locate the missing dog safe and unharmed.

“Shortly after noon, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol assisted deputies and successfully removed the stolen vehicle from the Tualatin River.”

The manhunt for Laura continues.

Don’t miss Our New Story!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.