Multnomah County, OR. — Deputies with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a suspected impaired driving crash that sent a vehicle down an embankment and into a creek early Sunday morning.
The investigation began just before 1 a.m. on January 4, 2026, when the City of Portland’s Bureau of Emergency Communications received an automated crash notification from a cellphone near Southeast Troutdale Road and Southeast Division Drive in Troutdale.
Dispatchers reported the phone line remained open, but no one responded. Using GPS technology, emergency personnel determined the phone — and the vehicle — were off the roadway.
Responding deputies located a vehicle approximately 20 feet down an embankment. The car had landed on its roof and was partially submerged in a creek. Deputies could hear the driver yelling for help.
The driver was identified as Fred Jimenez, who told deputies he had sustained only minor injuries but was unable to climb out of the vehicle.
Based on the preliminary investigation, deputies believe Jimenez lost control of his vehicle while traveling through the intersection.
The Gresham Fire Department responded and performed a high-angle rope rescue to safely remove Jimenez from the vehicle and up the embankment. He was transported to a hospital for treatment.
Deputies issued Jimenez a criminal citation for driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII).
Due to potential environmental concerns, a tow truck was requested and the vehicle was removed from the creek.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office released several photos from the scene and thanked the Gresham Fire Department for its assistance in the rescue.
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