On Wednesday, April 11, 2018 approximately 10:25 a.m. the Oregon State Police responded to a report of a pick-up truck that had left the roadway on Highway 241 near milepost 12.5 and entered into the Coos River. Initial investigation confirms the vehicle was traveling east on Hwy 241 and for unknown reasons drifted off the road, down a steep embankment and into the river. The vehicle was in approximately 8 feet of water and was completely submerged. Witnesses observed the vehicle in the water and attempted unsuccessfully to rescue the occupant. With the assistance of the Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife’s boat out of Coos Bay and the Southwestern Oregon Regional Airport fire department’s dive rescue team, the driver was recovered from the vehicle. There were no other occupants in the vehicle. The vehicle was identified as a 2004 Ford pickup and the driver as 66 year old Kenneth Glen NAILON, from Creswell. The cause of death is being investigated by the Coos County Medical Examiner’s office but is unknown at this time.
