Drug dealer being pursued by police crashes his car into a LAKE with two small children in the backseat - as Good Samaritans jump into the water to save the screaming kids
Bystanders have captured the shocking moment a man being pursued by police drove his car into a lake with his two young children in the backseat.
The incident occurred in Pasco County, Florida on Thursday afternoon after an officer tried to stop the vehicle for a window tint violation on Highway 19.
The driver instead attempted to flee the scene, causing the cop to commence a high-speed chase.
Dashcam video released by the Pasco County Sheriff's Department shows the gold sedan turning off the highway and speeding through suburban streets in a bid to outpace police.
However, the driver soon realizes he will not be able to evade capture and instead accelerates into a lake located in the middle of a housing estate.
Witnesses who were standing on the side of the road filmed the vehicle as it landed in the water and started to sink.
Bystanders have captured the shocking moment a man being pursued by police drove his car into a lake with his two young children in the backseat
Footage shows a woman opening the passenger side door and attempting to swim free.
Footage shows a woman opening the passenger side door and attempting to swim free.
Bystanders who were laughing at the spectacle soon turned serious when they realized that the driver and the passenger weren't the only occupants inside the car.
'There's a baby in the back! Two babies! F**king idiots! You're sick!' one eyewitness screams as men on the scene jump into the lake and attempt rescue the two small children.
The crying kids were pulled from the backseat of the car before being taken ashore by the Good Samaritans who came to their aid.
The crying kids were pulled from the backseat of the car before being taken ashore by the Good Samaritans who came to their aid
The driver is seen wading through the water with his hands in the air
Police on the scene were then able to detain the driver and the passenger, placing them in handcuffs once they swam to the shore.
Officerd also a bag of crystal meth floating by the car in the lake.
The driver has been identified as Jonathan Mark DeLoach, 30 - known drug dealer and had several warrants out for his arrest.
He was arrested at the scene on several charges, including child abuse, possession of methamphetamine, driving with a suspended license, and reckless driving.
He is currently being held in custody.
A Good Samaritan made sure the driver - identified as Jonathan Mark DeLoach - would not flee the scene