Man running from police jumps into river

The Idaho State Police say a convicted felon on the run jumped off a cliff into a river Friday night.

ISP said the incident occurred when Terrence Mitchell Walsh was pulled over on U.S. Highway 26 one mile west of the Lane-Clark rest area. During the stop, the trooper saw at least two firearms in plain view in the rear of the vehicle. In addition, Walsh gave a false name, police said. When the trooper told Walsh he was under arrest for providing false information to a police officer, Walsh ran away.

The trooper chased Walsh toward the South Fork of the Snake River Canyon. Walsh jumped down a steep cliff. The trooper could hear him moving through the thick brush below and heard a splash.

Troopers said at that point they were concerned. That’s because the river is very cold, fast and very deep.

“This is a pretty unique situation where you have somebody who was really in the fight or flight mode that heads to the river in a very desperate act and goes into something that could have turned catastrophic in a very short period of time,” said Lt. Chris Weadick.

ISP called Bonneville County Search and Rescue and a medical helicopter for help. They did not find Walsh that night, so they called the search off.

Police said a family member called the next morning saying Walsh was alive, but did not tell authorities where he was.

Troopers found Walsh, who was wanted on several outstanding felony arrest warrants, had drug paraphernalia, scales and baggies, and a loaded shotgun and rifle in the vehicle.

Three passengers were inside during the stop, and one of them, Krista Gabbert-Johnson, was arrested on charges of obstructing and delaying an officer and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The ISP said fugitives like Walsh shouldn’t be taken lightly.

“They’re dangerous for the officers involved, they’re dangerous for the general public, because a lot of times when these absconders are out in the public or try to blend into the public they are still very dangerous people and so we’re concerned about that and we’re asking this suspect to turn himself in,” said Weadick.

ISP asks anyone who has seen Walsh or knows where he is to call *ISP (*477), (208) 525-7277 or 911. Police warn people not to approach Walsh. Anyone found to be helping or harboring Walsh could face criminal charges, ISP said.