Lowell Suspect Drowns After Escaping Police Custody
LOWELL (CBS) - A Rhode Island man who tried to escape from Lowell police on Friday night, wound up drowning in the Merrimack River.
Officers say they had stopped a car driven by 23-year-old Luke Hammond around 7 p.m. at Pawtucket and Walker Streets. Police say they found a significant amount of marijuana inside Hammond's car.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Mark Katic reports
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Hammond, who lived in Coventry, RI, was facing drug dealing charges and while police were waiting for a transport vehicle to show up, they say he managed to escape from custody and jump into the Merrimack River.
Police divers found Hammond about 45 minutes later, about 15 feet from the shoreline. Hammond was transported to Lowell General Hospital and later pronounced dead.
Police and the Middlesex District Attorney's Office are investigating.
