CLARKSTON, WA—Early this morning, Rescue personnel were called to a car and person in the water at Chief Timothy Campground west of Clarkston. In addition to Asotin County Fire District #1 personnel and Asotin County Sheriff’s deputies, the Lewiston Fire Department ambulance and rescue crews were dispatched at 1:45 a.m.
“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 the hospital, where he was checked for injuries.
There were no other reported injuries.
The Asotin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating this incident.
Photos courtesy of the Asotin County Fire District #1.
