Police: Allegheny Valley officer makes arrest after landing in swimming pool

An Allegheny Valley Regional Police officer made a splash while chasing a suspected drunken driver last month, falling into a swimming pool before making the arrest, according to court records.

Police said they pulled over a car driven by David G. Hoover, 34, of Springdale at Riddle Run and Freeport roads in Springdale Township early Aug. 21.

A criminal complaint filed against Hoover said he had bloodshot eyes, smelled strongly of alcohol and slurred his words. Hoover told Officer Joseph Albaugh that he was coming from a bar where he “only had a few beers,” the complaint said.

When Albaugh went to his vehicle to check Hoover’s license and registration, he discovered Hoover’s license was under a DUI-related suspension and he was wanted on three warrants. Hoover sped off while Albaugh was still in his vehicle and led police on a chase through Springdale and Frazer townships before getting out of his vehicle and trying to escape on foot, the complaint said.

During the car chase, Hoover’s car struck a guardrail and a stop sign, drove through a front yard and almost crashed into another police vehicle that had been sitting on the side of a road, the complaint said.

That officer drove into a front yard to avoid being struck by Hoover’s vehicle, according to the complaint.

On foot, Hoover made it halfway over a fence when Albaugh ran into it full speed and knocked it over, the complaint said. Hoover landed on concrete on the other side of the fence, with the fence on top of him, while Albaugh landed in a nearby in-ground swimming pool, according to the complaint.

Albaugh got out of the pool and arrested Hoover with the help of another officer, the complaint said.

Hoover submitted to a blood-alcohol test, but the criminal complaint did not list the results.

Hoover faces 19 charges, including drunken driving, aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude police, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief. He was being held Thursday in the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 16.