It must have been a sobering experience for a 21-year-old Gravois Mills man who jumped more than 60 feet over the side of the Grand Glaize Bridge into the chilly waters of Lake of the Ozarks early Sunday morning.
The bridge jumper swam to safety, called a friend for a ride and was back home in Gravois Mills while police, fire personnel and the Missouri Water Patrol continued to search the water for him.
According to the police department, Osage Beach officers had come in contact with the suspect while on a call at a party in town earlier in the evening. The suspect was described as being extremely intoxicated.
Officers had warned him and a friend to stay put and not get behind the wheel.
A short time later, officers saw the suspect leaving the party and traveling on Highway 54.
When the officers pulled up behind him, he allegedly ignored the lights and sirens.
Just before they got to the Grand Glaize Bridge it looked like the suspect was going to pull over at Bridgeport Marina but he then sped up until he got to about the middle of the bridge. He then stopped, jumped out of the vehicle, ran around the front to avoid the police coming up behind him and hurled himself over the side into 54 degree water.
The officers called for help and began searching for the suspect.
In the meantime, the passenger who had been in the car and was left behind, was able to identify the suspect.
While the officers were searching, the suspect apparently swam to shore near the Potted Steer. Once he was out of the water, he allegedly called a friend who came and picked him up.
By that time, the police had called the suspect's family thinking there was a possible drowning. The search continued in the water below the bridge and the Water Patrol's dive team members were called in from across the state to assist.
Several hours later, the suspect's father called police to let them know his son was safe. He later showed up in Osage Beach with the son in tow to be arrested.
The suspect is charged with driving while revoked and fleeing from police.
joyce.miller@lakesunonline.com
Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. —
