In Kostroma, a traffic officer swam across the river to detain the drunk driver behind a crash, a detail confirmed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Kostroma region. The incident highlights the unexpected lengths law enforcement sometimes must go to protect the public and secure a scene where danger remains even after the initial impact.
Authorities chased the driver of a Toyota Prius who had performed risky maneuvers on the road and ignored the officer’s attempts to halt the vehicle. In a district of the city, local residents stepped in to assist the traffic inspectors, blocking the road with their own cars and positioning themselves ahead of the violator. The driver, showing little regard for safety, collided with one of the parked vehicles and struck a pedestrian, escalating the danger for bystanders and first responders alike.
Search teams subsequently located an abandoned Toyota in a roadside bushes about seven kilometers from the city. The driver and a passenger were found on the Kostroma Riverbank. Upon noticing the police, the man plunged into the water. A pursuing traffic police officer, along with nearby colleagues, followed into the river and successfully detained him on the opposite shore. The group worked together to ensure the suspect could be restrained without further harm to themselves or others.
The suspect, a 39-year-old Kostroma resident, refused to submit to sobriety testing. He has prior history of driving under the influence and had his driving privileges revoked. In court, he denied the charges, claiming he had not driven that day and had not engaged in fishing activities. The court ordered he be held for 14 days on charges of disobeying police officers, while the determination of penalties related to drunk driving without a valid license continued. The case underscores the serious consequences associated with impaired driving and the broad range of actions law enforcement can take to manage a chaotic, high-risk scene.
Earlier coverage from socialbites.ca discussed the best-known pickup in the Russian market, nicknamed KingKong, illustrating regional interest in substantial, powerful vehicles and the broader conversation about vehicle performance and safety across the country.