More details are available regarding the police pursuit in the Westfield area Friday morning that ended with a vehicle driving through a barrier and into the waters of Barcelona Harbor. According to the Village of Westfield Police Department, officers attempted to make contact with 52-year-old Lutheter Younger of Rochester around 6:47AM on East Main Street. Younger's motor vehicle was observed stopped in a eastbound lane obstructing the normal flow of traffic. As officers attempted to make contact with the operator, Younger allegedly accelerated away at a high rate of speed and began operating the vehicle in an erratic manner, resulting in a vehicle pursuit. Chautauqua County Sheriff Jim Quattrone tells WDOE News that the pursuit was initiated by Westfield Police, with the Sheriff's Office also assisting. The vehicle allegedly continued to be operated in a reckless manner through portions of the Village and Town of Westfield.
The pursuit came to an end when the vehicle struck a heavy-duty cable barrier, causing the vehicle to leave the roadway and enter Lake Erie. As a precaution, the Chautauqua County SWAT Team was requested to assist with the incident. Quattrone says the driver of the vehicle was safely removed from the water and was transported to a medical facility due to the nature of the crash and being in the water for an extended period of time. He says the effort to remove her was a successful and safe operation due to great collaboration between law enforcement, fire service, and the Town of Westfield Highway Department.
Younger faces the charges of 2nd-Degree Criminal Mischief and Unlawful Fleeing of a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle. Additionally, she received uniform traffic tickets for the following violations:
- Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident
- No Stopping/Standing on Highway
- Speeding in a School Zone
- 2nd-Degree Aggravated Unlicensed Operation
- Failed to Keep Right
- Moved from Lane Unsafely
- Reckless Driving
- Failed to Comply with a Lawful Order
- Unregistered Motor Vehicle
- No Insurance
Additionally, Younger is currently the subject of an ongoing investigation regarding alleged damage to patrol vehicles belonging to assisting law enforcement agencies during the incident. Further charges may be pending as the investigation continues.
