Driver Flees, July 17

On July 16th at 12:30 AM Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of a one vehicle traffic crash on Drift Creek Road at Gorton Road, just east of Lincoln City.  Deputies discovered the vehicle, a silver 2011 Jeep Patriot bearing Oregon plate 164 FJW, was completely submerged in the water.  The North Lincoln Fire Department Rescue Swim Team was able to confirm there were no occupants in the car and no one was found at the scene.  The investigation revealed that the vehicle was eastbound when it left the roadway and sheared off a utility pole knocking out power and other utilities to the area.   The lines could not be cleared nor the vehicle removed from the river until about 8:00 AM this morning then power and utilities were restored. Deputies continue to investigate the crash to identify the driver.