Packwood Woman Dies After Fleeing From Officers into Black River

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A 30-year-old Packwood woman died Thursday morning from apparent hypothermia after jumping into the Black River near School Land Road west of Rochester Wednesday night while fleeing from law enforcement.

The woman and a 34-year-old Packwood man were sitting in a vehicle near the boat launch Wednesday night engaged in amorous activity, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office. A deputy approached the vehicle and asked for identification.

The woman, who had various felony warrants, fled into the Black River before the deputy could positively identify her, the sheriff’s office said.

“The deputy made contact with the occupants — a female driver and male passenger. They claimed they were down there to have intercouse,” Sgt. Raymond Brady said. “As (the deputy) was trying to discover who the woman was, the door flew open and the female took off running into the river and started swimming in the river.”

West Thurston Fire Authority responded to the scene at about 8:22 p.m. Wednesday. Firefighters used thermal imaging cameras and searched the river banks to find the woman.



At about 9:05 p.m., two firefighters found the woman in the river about a quarter mile downstream from where she entered by the boat launch.

“She was located in the river and didn’t want to come out of the river,” Brady said. “Two firefighters were able to get in the river and get her out.”

After being in the river for nearly an hour, the woman was transported to Providence St. Peter Hospital for hypothermia. She died at the hospital Thursday morning, according to the Thurston County Coroner's Office.

The Coroner's Office is still investigating the death and could not yet identify the woman.

“It appears the reason why she fled was based on her warrants,” Brady said.