Cops: Driver who submerged car intended to kill

A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder for allegedly driving his car into the water at the Berkeley Marina on Sunday evening with his girlfriend inside after a domestic dispute, police said.

Officers responded to the area of the HS Lordships Restaurant at 199 Seawall Dr. at about 7 p.m. on Sunday after receiving a report that a vehicle had driven into the water with people inside, according to Berkeley police spokesman Byron White.

The responding officers learned that some good Samaritans had already rescued the occupants of the sinking vehicle with their boat, White said.

Further investigation into the incident revealed that the driver, Gregory Richard Polk III, of Berkeley, intentionally drove his vehicle into the water after a domestic dispute with his girlfriend, according to White.

In addition to attempted murder, Polk was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence as well as felony battery for allegedly punching one of the good Samaritans who rescued him from his sinking car, White said.

A tow truck driver lifted the vehicle out of the water today, according to White.

Polk is being held at the Berkeley Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail and is tentatively scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday. Jail records indicate that he works as a welder.