Man who fled KC police is believed to have drowned in Blue River

A man who fled from Kansas City police Thursday night may have drowned after walking into the Blue River and disappearing.

Kansas City police said a Jackson County sheriff’s deputy went into the water after the man, but was unable to find him.

By Friday, a water rescue team with the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported finding a body in the river, presumably the man authorities were pursuing the night before.

Police said the incident began about 11 p.m. Thursday when officers spotted a suspect in a domestic assault and burglary case getting into a pickup truck in the area of Eastwood Trafficway and Blue Parkway.

The suspect refused to stop when police attempted to pull him over, and officers did not pursue him.

But later, officers and sheriff’s deputies found the man standing outside the truck near the river in the area of 12th Street and Interstate 435.

The man walked into the Blue River and appeared to be struggling to swim before he was last seen, according to police.

After the deputy was unable to find him, Kansas City firefighters were also called in to search but were unable to find the man, police said Friday.

According to the highway patrol, divers returned to the area Friday and continued the search. A body was found just before 1 p.m. Friday after crews dragged the river.

The victim’s identity has not been released.

This story was originally published October 19, 2018 at 11:43 AM.