Hatem Bridge Jumper Hospitalized, Charges Pending: Police

HAVRE DE GRACE, MD — Police said that a man who was trying to elude officers after an assault in Havre de Grace Friday evening jumped from the Hatem Bridge. He was rescued and hospitalized, officials said, and charges are pending.

The incident began after officers were called to the 200 block of Seneca Avenue for a report of an assault around 7:17 p.m. on Friday, according to the Havre de Grace Police Department.

When an officer went to the residence, police said a man who was trying to get away in a black four-door Ford crashed into a parked car then drove off. The policeman turned on his lights and tried to stop him, and the pursuit began.

While trying to elude police in Havre de Grace, officials said the suspect hit two other vehicles in the city, then hit a third once he drove onto the Hatem Bridge.

About halfway over the bridge, authorities said the suspect started slowing down, then stopped his vehicle, climbed over the bridge's retaining wall and jumped into the Susquehanna River.

Maryland Natural Resource Police officials were in the area and rescued the man right away, then got him to shore, where emergency medical personnel took him to Harford Memorial Hospital, officials reported.

Police said he was later transferred to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center.

The traffic offenses and the assault are under investigation, and officials said charges will be pending.

The victim of the assault from Seneca Avenue was taken to Harford Memorial Hospital for treatment of his injuries, police said.

PREVIOUS REPORT: Police activity on the Hatem Bridge is slowing traffic Friday evening. Officials said at 7:30 p.m. they closed one lane on the bridge due to the activity.

After 8 p.m., the right lane remained closed on US 40 east at mile post 199.4 on the bridge.

See the latest lane closure information from state transportation officials.

Still images from CHART traffic camera.