Man crashes stolen van and jumps into river to avoid capture in Florida

A man in a stolen vehicle crashed on a Fort Myers area bridge following a police chase and then he tried to avoid capture by jumping into the river.

Though the 34-year-old man survived the jump from the Edison Bridge, on Friday, he is facing charges of vehicle theft and fleeing, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

The van was stolen from the man’s aunt.

The pursuit started when sheriff’s deputies attempted to pull over the van, which had been reported stolen, and it sped off.

The helicopter video showed the van losing control and striking the barrier on the side of the bridge.

After jumping, the man swam toward the support columns of the bridge, where he was taken out from the water by a Fort Myers police boat.

He was admitted to a hospital for treatment.