WILLET, N.Y. – A Cortland County man attempting to evade arrest drove his car into a pond before being rescued by a state trooper and a passerby, according to the Cortland County Sheriff's Office.
Elvis F. Guzman, 27, of Willet, was arrested Saturday and charged with second-degree assault, a class D felony, and several misdemeanors related to a reported domestic incident at Rocky Acres Trailer Park in the town of Willet.
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Elvis F. Guzman (Cortland County Sheriff's Office)
At around 12:40 p.m. Saturday, a woman told a 911 dispatcher that her boyfriend punched her several times in the face, resulting in "serious physical injury." There were three children in the home at the time of the incident, the sheriff's office said.
She remained on the phone with a 911 dispatcher while Guzman threatened to hit her with a baseball bat, authorities said. He then fled in the family vehicle before officers arrived at the scene.
A state trooper later observed Guzman's vehicle traveling southbound on Route 79 near Whitney Point. After refusing to pull over, Guzman drove off the roadway and became submerged in a stone quarry pond, according to the sheriff's office.
Before the vehicle was completely submerged in water, the trooper and a passerby helped Guzman get out of the vehicle and onto dry land, authorities said.
Guzman was transported to UHS Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City for exposure to icy water. He was then released to members of the Cortland County Sheriff's Office.
The victim was transported to Cortland Regional Medical Center for treatment of her injuries.
Guzman faces charges including second-degree assault, a class D felony, second-degree menacing, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, all misdemeanors.
Guzman was arraigned in Willet Town Court and taken to Cortland County Jail on $10,000 cash bail or $15,000 bond.
Additional charges are possible and the investigation is continuing, the sheriff's office said.
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