News Release from: Clackamas Co. Sheriff's Office

UPDATE:
CLACKAMAS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ARRESTS DRIVER FOLLOWING MOLALLA RIVER RESCUE

Posted: January 9th, 2008 6:38 PM

Photo: Vitaly K. Chernov

Update: 6:30 p.m., Jan. 9 : Following an incident in which two male subjects were rescued from the top of a submerged automobile in the Molalla River, the driver has been arrested on Reckless Driving charges.

This driver in custody is identified as Vitaly K. Chernov, a 27-year-old resident of Vancouver, Washington. Cheronov was transported to Clackamas County Jail and lodged, cited and released for Reckless Driving. A photo is linked above.

Chernov was reportedly in operation of his Jeep automobile -- accompanied by a 20 year-old passenger identified as Oleg Vilkhovey of Happy Valley -- when the vehicle became submerged in the Molalla River.

Investigators at the scene learned that Chernov was attempting to forge the fast-moving Molalla River while four-wheeling for recreation. However, the vehicle stalled and became submerged in the deep, swift water.

Both subjects were in jeopardy, and required the assistance of emergency personnel to retrieve them safely from their self-imposed precarious position in the middle of the river.

EARLIER: Sheriff's Office, Molalla Fire rescue two from Jeep submerged in river

[END]