Driver Who Drowned After Police Chase Identified
ROSEVILLE, Minn. (WCCO) -- Police in Roseville have identified the victim following a car chase that ended with the driver drowning in a lake in Arden Hills over the weekend.
The incident started at about 9:30 p.m. Saturday on Cleveland Avenue in Roseville. The driver crashed three miles away, near Ferrel's Lake in Arden Hills, where he drowned. Police pulled the suspect over after they noticed his tail light was out. The suspect attempted to flee police, and authorities said he eventually crashed into a set of trees.
When authorities got to the vehicle, there was nobody inside. Dogs were brought into try and pick up the man's scent, which was traced to Ferrel's Lake on the other side of a wooded area. Authorities said they spotted the suspect about 50 yards into the water. They went after him after he apparently cursed at officers and refused to swim to shore.
The man was struggling to stay afloat and police called in a water rescue unit, but it was too late and the man's body was recovered about 45 minutes after the incident started.
On Monday morning, authorities identified the victim as 37-year-old Andrew Heim of Minneapolis.
Faith, Heim's girlfriend of nine years, said they were supposed to have dinner together on Saturday night but he never came home. Faith said she has no idea what really happened and doesn't understand how it could've ended like this.
The two share a 4-year-old daughter together. She said he was a great dad.
A neighbor in the area of the lake said the brush in the wooded area is very difficult to get through if you're not on a trail.
"I don't know if the guy knew the territory or was just taking a chance. There are biking trails and maybe he thought he'd escape one on of those. I have no idea," said Wade Wutschky, who knows the area well.
Police said the car the suspect was driving did not have license plates.
