Rafting event organizer who fled cops by jumping off bridge arrested

Sammy Diaz, the 23-year-old organizer of last month’s unpermitted Rafting Gone Wild event on the American River who escaped park rangers by jumping off a bridge and swimming away, has been arrested.

According to Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office records, Diaz was booked Saturday afternoon into Sacramento County Main Jail on two outstanding warrants: a misdemeanor charge of resisting or obstructing a peace officer and a misdemeanor charge of illegally jumping from a bridge.

Diaz was held on $5,000 bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday.

KCRA reported that Diaz was arrested at the Lower Sunrise Recreational Area, where park rangers tracked him down at another unpermitted rafting event on the American River. “I’ll see you guys in a few hours,” he told his friends as he was taken to a patrol car in handcuffs, according to Fox 40.

Park rangers had originally attempted to cite Diaz last month at Rafting Gone Wild for failing to obtain a permit, before he fled authorities and jumped off the PCA Bridge. Sacramento County prohibited alcohol consumption on the river during the event.

Six others were also arrested at the annual party: three for suspicion of public intoxication, one for drunk driving, one on an outstanding warrant, and one for battery of a police officer. That is well below the 32 who were arrested in 2012 and the 15 arrested when it was held last year.

This story was originally published July 23, 2016 at 4:39 PM.