A crash late Wednesday night has left one person hospitalized in serious condition after their vehicle plummeted off the road into a ravine in the Columbia River Gorge. The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office confirmed that a Hyundai sedan, carrying three occupants, veered off E Historic Columbia River Highway around 10:30 p.m.

A helicopter was needed to transport a 17-year-old female passenger to an area hospital, the Sheriff's office detailed. The crash happened near Shepperd’s Dell, with the vehicle ending 150 feet down, and while all occupants were reportedly belted, it didn't prevent serious injury. Found 150 feet down a ravine, the driver, an 18-year-old male, sustained only minor injuries, and another 17-year-old female passenger was not injured.

Officers activated the East County Vehicular Crimes Team to look into the accident. Adrian Diaz, a representative from Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, mentioned that excessive speed is thought to be the cause behind the Hyundai losing control, stating, "The speed limit on E Historic Columbia River Highway is 40 miles per hour and the advisory speed for the curve near this crash is 20 miles per hour." The crash site's curve is a known danger point, with posted speeds reflecting the caution drivers must take. Additional factors contributing to the crash are under review.

The Vehicular Crimes Team, involving experts from multiple departments, investigates major traffic incidents in the region. In a statement obtained by the Sheriff's Office figures into this instance, past inquiries by the team have often revealed preventable factors at play in such crashes. The investigation into the Hyundai crash continues as the team seeks to uncover every potential cause.