On Feb. 27, 2016 at about 12:51 p.m., New York State Police at Whitney Point were advised to be on the lookout for a grey 2008 Dodge Magnum that was being driven by suspect Elvis F. Guzman, 27, of Cincinnatus, N.Y. and was possibly headed south on State Route 26 after he drove away from a violent domestic dispute that just happened in the Town of Willet, Cortland County, N.Y.
At about 12:55 p.m., Trooper Michael Gardner observed the suspect’s vehicle as it drove from State Route 26 onto State Route 79 and activated his emergency lights and sirens. The suspect refused to stop.
After a brief pursuit that covered less than two miles, Elvis F. Guzman purposely drove off of State Route 79 and into a field that led down a steep embankment and into an ice-covered lake near F. S. Lopke Contracting in Barker, N.Y.
Trooper Gardner, with the assistance off a passing motorist who stopped to help, tied a rope to his belt and entered the ice-covered water where he successfully pulled the partly unconscious suspect driver free from inside his sinking vehicle. Within seconds the suspect’s 2008 Dodge Magnum sank about eight feet down into the freezing water.
Fire departments from Whitney Point, Killawog, and Lisle responded along with the Greene water rescue and dive team. The suspect’s vehicle was checked by rescue divers and found to have no additional passengers inside.
Troopers from the New York State Police Troop C Dive Team assisted with securing the vehicle for tow truck removal. The vehicle was transported to the Cortland County Sheriff’s Department.
Elvis F. Guzman was transported to Wilson Hospital where he refused medical attention. The state police issued him numerous traffic tickets returnable to the Town of Barker court. Elvis F. Guzman was then turned over to the Cortland County Sheriff’s Department, who is handling a felony assault 2nd degree investigation against him.
