CLARKSTON, WA – A 24-year-old man was booked into the Asotin County Jail early Monday morning after he allegedly pointed a handgun at campers and drove his car at a high rate of speed through the Chief Timothy Campground west of Clarkston. The car, reportedly driven by Jameson R. Moses, eventually crashed into the Snake River. He was charged with Driving Under the Influence, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangerment, and two counts of Second-Degree Assault.
Rescue personnel from the Asotin County Fire District #1 and Asotin County Sheriff’s Office and Lewiston Fire Department ambulance and rescue crews were dispatched just after 1:30 a.m. Monday morning.
“Witnesses said the car had been running through the campground at a high rate of speed and eventually ran through a camping area and into the water. It was unclear at first if the driver of the submerged vehicle got out of the car,” ACFD1 says on its Facebook page.
When Asotin County Sheriff’s deputies arrived they could hear someone yelling out in the water.
“The possibly intoxicated driver had escaped the car and swam to the Highway 12 side of the river, but would not get out of the water. People in a private boat threw the man a floatation device. Asotin County Fire District rescue boat arrived and located the car,” ACFD1 adds.
Witnesses reported no other person had been seen in the car.
Rescue crew members were able to grab the driver as he was getting tired in the water. They transported him to TriState Health where he was checked for injuries before being booked into jail.
There were no other reported injuries.
Photos courtesy of ACFD1.
