The Seven Mile Bridge is seen from the air looking south from Marathon, Florida February 22, 2011. The Seven Mile Bridge connects Knight's Key (part of the city of Marathon, Florida) in the Middle Keys to Little Duck Key in the Lower Keys. Among the longest bridges in existence when it was built, it is one of the many bridges on US 1 in the Keys, where the road is called the Overseas Highway. AFP PHOTO/Karen BLEIER (Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images)
MARATHON, Fla. -- Authorities say a reckless driver jumped from the top of the 7 Mile Bridge near Marathon during a police chase.
The Monroe County Sheriff's Office says callers reported seeing a car driving north in the southbound lanes of the bridge around 11 p.m. Monday.
A deputy spotted the car in Marathon a few minutes later and followed it. The driver made a u-turn and headed south. Deputies chased him at speeds reaching 90 mph.
At the top of the bridge, the driver got out of the car. The deputies approached him, ordering him to put his hands in the air. He jumped into the water and began yelling for help. He was recovered a half-mile from the bridge.
Deputies say 45-year-old Dale Darosa was airlifted to Miami for treatment.
Associated Press