Deadly Susquehanna River crash suspect arrested in New York City
MANOR TOWNSHIP, Pa. —
The Manor Township Police Department in Lancaster County announced the arrest of Mikaail Cotton in New York, linking him to a deadly crash in the Susquehanna River on July 30.
Cotton Arrested in South Bronx
Manor Township Police Chief Colin Cleary said Cotton was taken into custody in a South Bronx neighborhood, where officers found him with a stolen firearm and controlled substances.
“They were doing a targeted enforcement action there, encountered a couple of individuals who fled. They gave chase, and they ended up taking Mr. Cotton into custody,” Cleary said.
Cleary explained that Cotton initially provided a fake name, which delayed New York officers in identifying him as a suspect wanted in Pennsylvania for the crash.
Crash into Susquehanna River kills passenger
Police said Cotton was driving 20-year-old Saige Zink’s car when he and the driver of a BMW sped past stop signs on Charlestown Road in Washington Borough. Both vehicles ultimately plunged into the Susquehanna River.
Court documents state that a neighbor helped three people, including Cotton, escape from the submerged cars. Zink did not survive.
After the crash, police released surveillance footage seeking information about two other individuals, Savahnnah McFerrin and Helmer Soto-Colon.
“There’s no one else that’s been charged in the case. I would like to say that we have spoken with Mr. Soto-Colon, Helmer Soto-Colon. We conducted an interview with him. We would still like to speak with Savahnnah McFerrin at some point,” Cleary said.
Cleary confirmed that investigators believe one of the two individuals was driving the BMW and that Cotton and Soto-Colon were acquaintances before the crash.
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Investigation and extradition underway
When asked about the speed of the vehicles before they entered the river, Cleary said, “We can get a rough estimate, based on various physical characteristics of the roadway, the skid marks, the scuff marks. But that reconstruction is going to take some time. And that, as with many things, is ongoing.”
Cleary also addressed a video circulating online that reportedly features a rap about the crash. He confirmed that the video remains part of the active investigation and that the department has not yet verified its authenticity or origin.
Cleary said the extradition process for Cotton to return to Lancaster County has already begun.
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