PORT ANGELES — A New Mexico man was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center after the vehicle he was riding in fell down an embankment outside of Forks, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office said.
Gage E. Olivas was rescued early Sunday after Forks-based Clallam County Fire District No. 1 crews secured the vehicle, which had collided with a tree and came to rest above the Sol Duc River.
Olivas, who had a serious arm injury, was extracted from the vehicle and transported to Forks Community Hospital. He was later airlifted to Harborview and was listed in stable condition Monday, Sheriff’s Sgt. Ed Anderson said.
The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office was searching for the driver of the vehicle Monday, Anderson said.
The wreck occurred off Sitkum Solduc Road, commonly known as the A Road, near milepost 5.
“At this time it is believed that alcohol may have played a contributing factor in the cause of the vehicle collision,” Anderson said in a Monday news release.
“The driver of the vehicle has not yet been positively identified and was reported to have fled the scene prior to the arrival of deputies.
“Deputies continue to investigate the cause of the crash and are diligently working to identify the driver of the vehicle at the time of the collision,” Anderson said.
The wreck was reported at about 1:45 a.m. Sunday, according to the release.
________
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
