Cops: Woman uninjured after driving into river

MIDDLETOWN — A woman “intentionally” drove her car into the Connecticut River late Monday afternoon at Harbor Park, where her vehicle still is underwater, according to police.

The woman was uninjured, police said. Emergency personnel were called to the area of the nearby boat launch at about 5:20 p.m. Police observed a vehicle partially submerged, with a woman attempting to kick out the front windshield, a police report said. Once she got out, she climbed onto the roof, and was instructed to swim toward the public safety docks where she was brought to safety, according to the report.

The woman suffered minor injuries as a result of kicking out the windshield, and was taken to Middlesex Hospital for an evaluation, authorities said.

Officers determined that the actions of the driver were “intentional,” police said, and “The operator had previously been driving extremely erratically, eastbound on Route 66, just prior to this incident.”

Community Relations Officer Jay Bodell cautioned people that the river current is “very strong out there.”

The Middletown Police Dive Team is coordinating a dive operation to remove the vehicle from the water, the police statement said.

Authorities are trying to determine how and where the vehicle entered the water. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call 860-638-4000.

Cassandra Day / Hearst Connecticut Media file photo The boat launch at Harbor Park in Middletown, scene of an accident on Monday, can be seen in the distance.