Driver lands in Long Island Sound after leading Southold officers on chase, police say

Southold police chased a suspect during a 45-minute pursuit Monday along the North Fork, from Riverhead to Greenport, until they said he sped off a 100-foot cliff and landed in Long Island Sound.

The chase began after police responded to a domestic violence call in Southold, where a car had been damaged, said Southold Police Chief Martin Flatley.

The driver, Roger Foster, of Florida, had two active warrants. He drove back and forth on Route 48 during the pursuit, where he reached speeds of up to 100 mph, Flatley said. 

Foster maneuvered around traffic to Riverhead, before heading back east on surrounding roads before reaching Greenport. He headed down Sound Road, driving to the end of the street without slowing down and went airborne off the bluff and into the water, Flatley said. 

The car's air bags deployed and the vehicle landed in 3 to 5 feet of water. Officers dove into the water, pulled out Foster and arrested him. He complained of pain, but had no visible injuries, Flatley said. He was taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center to be evaluated. 

No other injuries were reported during the pursuit. Any charges filed against Foster were not immediately available.

With Randee Daddona and Robert Brodsky

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.