River jumper out of hospital & in jail

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - A man jumped into the Wabash River while trying to escape from police on Friday night while the temperatures hovered at -2 degrees.

Police have said that they were able to arrest one suspect, Lee Bemis, after he jumped in the Wabash River in an effort to escape.

According to police, it all started when two suspects drove away from a traffic stop and started a chase on U.S. 40 in West Terre Haute.

In the process of the chase the suspects crashed their own car on the west side of the bridge, near the Dresser area, that crosses over the Wabash River.

That's when they both ran away, one running in the opposite direction of the Wabash River while Bemis ran towards the river and jumped in.

He was in the frigid water for nearly 15 minutes before he was pulled out of the river and into a boat. At one point he held himself up by grabbing on to a fallen tree.

Firefighters on the scene say Bemis was conscious but confused. They say he was barely able to move his arms and legs and showed signs of hypothermia.

He was taken to Union Hospital for treatment and then released in good condition to the Vigo County Jail.

Bemis was wanted on a warrant for residential entry.

He is charged with probation violation, criminal recklessness, resisting law enforcement and driving while intoxicated.

Police say the other suspect is still on the loose.