Woman dives into Florida lake in attempt to escape arrest after allegedly stealing car during test drive

A woman who allegedly stole a 2024 Honda Civic during a test drive and led the police on a high-speed chase attempted diving into a Florida lake, according to dramatic dashcam footage released by the Florida Highway Patrol.

Melina Logan, 27, from North Carolina, reportedly sped off in the car around 1:42 p.m., when the salesperson stepped out during a test drive in Palmetto Bay on May 9. The ensuing police chase saw speeds of up to 90 mph on State Road 826.

Dashcam video captures Logan driving recklessly through heavy traffic, reaching speeds of up to 90 mph and using the shoulder to evade police and traffic, as reported by the New York Post.

The chase ended abruptly when Logan collided with three other vehicles near a traffic-clogged exit ramp in Doral, according to CBS News. The crash rendered the driver’s side door of Logan’s car unusable, forcing her to exit through the passenger side, which was pressed against a concrete barrier.

Ignoring state troopers’ warnings, she then leaped over the barrier and dived into the lake below. Police officers swiftly attempted to rescue Logan from the water using safety ropes, but she reportedly resisted, prompting officers to dive in after her.

Authorities stated that Logan scratched a Miami-Dade officer and allegedly pushed a Doral officer underwater during the incident. According to Local 10, Logan was topless when she was finally pulled from the water. She was subsequently taken to a medical center and later booked at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

She faces multiple charges, including grand theft of a vehicle, two counts of battery on a police officer, fleeing and eluding police, leaving the scene of a crash, and resisting an officer.

 Police reported that one person injured in the crash at the end of the chase was hospitalized.