An elderly man inexplicably drove his pickup into the Hoh River near Allen’s Bar in western Jefferson County on Monday.
Donald Macomber, 74, of Chehalis was found conscious, but disoriented by Jefferson County deputy Dave Thomas at about 8 a.m. Monday.
Macomber was still at the wheel of the pickup in knee-deep water.
Thomas said Macomber believed he was driving somewhere in Idaho.
The Chehalis man was on oxygen and had heart medication with him, Thomas said, noting the driver had also been drinking.
But Macomber wasn’t cited for driving under the influence of alcohol because he wasn’t actually observed driving his Dodge pickup.
Macomber was taken to Forks Community Hospital for observation.
“His oxygen was low,” Thomas said. “He wasn’t doing too good.”
Thomas said Macomber drove onto the sand bar and kept driving upriver until slippery rocks stopped his progress.
The truck was knee-deep in water by that point.
A tow-truck pulled the truck from the river with Macomber still at the wheel.
Macomber was then transported by ambulance to the hospital.
Macomber was listed in satisfactory condition late Monday, Forks Community Hospital officials said.
The full story appears in today’s Peninsula Daily News Clallam County edition. Click onto “Subscribe” to get your PDN delivered to your home or office.