A driver in Troutdale faced dual consequences early yesterday morning after his vehicle plummeted 20 feet down an embankment and became partially submerged in a creek, leading to a rescue operation and DUII citation.
At around 1 a.m., emergency dispatchers received a crash notification from a cell phone near Southeast Troutdale Road and Division Drive, per KOIN. Dispatchers used GPS technology to locate the silent, open phone line which led them to the accident site. Multnomah County sheriff's deputies discovered the driver, Fred Jimenez, yelling for help from his overturned vehicle in a creek, yet, he was unable to get out on his own.
As reported by KGW, the Gresham Fire Department conducted a "high-angle rope rescue" to safely extract Jimenez from the wreckage. Although Jimenez sustained only minor injuries, he was sent to a hospital for treatment following the rescue.
The subsequent investigation by authorities determined that Jimenez had lost control while driving through the intersection, leading to the dramatic tumble down the embankment. After his treatment, Jimenez was issued a criminal citation for driving under the influence of intoxicants, according to the sheriff's office. Concerns about potential environmental hazards prompted officials to arrange the removal of the vehicle from the creek.
The efforts of the Gresham Fire Department were acknowledged by the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, as highlighted by KATU.
