How was the DUI driver rescued in Troutdale?

Gresham firefighters used high-angle ropes to rescue the driver from a 20-foot embankment.

What caused the car crash in Troutdale?

Investigators believe the driver, Fred Jimenez, was intoxicated and lost control of his vehicle.

How did authorities find the crash site?

An automated crash alert from the driver's cellphone, which included GPS data, helped locate the scene.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / DUI Driver Rescued by Rope After Crashing Car

DUI Driver Rescued by Rope After Crashing Car

5 Jan

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Summary

Driver rescued by ropes from steep embankment.
Crash occurred after driver was allegedly intoxicated.
Automatic cellphone alert helped locate the crash site.

DUI Driver Rescued by Rope After Crashing Car

Gresham firefighters successfully rescued a man early Sunday morning after his vehicle plunged down a steep, 20-foot embankment. The driver, Fred Jimenez, was found at the bottom of the ravine, with his car submerged in a creek. Emergency services were alerted by an automated crash notification from Jimenez's cellphone, which also provided GPS coordinates to the remote location.

Deputies arrived to find Jimenez yelling for help, though he reported only minor injuries. Due to the challenging terrain, firefighters from the Gresham Fire Department were called in to perform a specialized high-angle rope rescue. The extracted driver was then transported to a hospital for evaluation and treatment of his injuries.

Investigators suspect that alcohol played a role in the incident. The sheriff's office indicated that Jimenez lost control of his car while driving through a nearby intersection and subsequently issued him a citation for driving under the influence. The crash occurred on Southeast Troutdale Road and Southeast Division Drive.