Clackamas Deputies Investigate Fatal Car Crash In Estacada (PHOTO SERIES)

At the time of the crash, a blanket of extensive fog was covering the Portland Metro area; which prevented the patient from being medically air lifted to a local Portland Hospital.

Photos courtesy: Jim Strovink/Clackamas Sheriff

(ESTACADA, Ore.) - A Clackamas County deputy responding to a report of a single vehicle crash in front of Estacada High School on NE 6th Avenue in Estacada, arrived on the scene of what turned out to be a fatal crash involving a lone driver. It happened Sunday morning at 12:02 a.m.

Detective Jim Strovink with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, says the one patient involved in this crash was extracted from the vehicle and medically air lifted by a Reach Air Ambulance from the scene to a Corvallis Hospital, where the patient later died.

He says rescue personnel representing the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Boring Fire, Estacada Fire and Clackamas Fire responded to attend to the urgent needs of this single vehicle crash.

"Rescue personnel on scene soon recognized the necessity of utilizing the 'jaws-of-life' with their efforts to extract the seriously injured lone, male, occupant driver from this wrecked vehicle," Strovink said.

Crews worked diligently to remove the patient from this crashed vehicle; which is registered to the driver and described as a 2005 Hyundai, 2-door-sedan, silver in color.

Strovink said, "At the time, a blanket of extensive fog was covering the Portland Metro area; which prevented the patient from being medically air lifted to a local Portland Hospital."

A 'Reach Air Ambulance' was dispatched to the crash scene from Corvallis, and the patient was then flown directly to a Corvallis Hospital.

Strovink says sadly, this patient later died in the hospital at approximately 2:00 a.m. as a result of the significant injuries sustained in the crash.

The deceased driver is identified as 55-year old David Roger Cox of Estacada. An investigating Clackamas County deputy says this 2005 Hyundai, was traveling north bound on NE Pierce Street, approaching the ‘T' intersection of NE Pierce and NE 6th Avenue, in Estacada.

"This particular location is situated in front of Estacada High School, where a small creek meanders through the property." the deputy said.

He indicates that the driver of this 2005 Hyundai continued directly through this intersection – traveling an estimated 300' across an open field - where it was propelled some 40' into the air as this airborne vehicle traveled over a small creek landing nose first into the opposing creek embankment.

"The driver of this vehicle was described to be NOT wearing a seat belt at the time of this crash." Strovink said.

Alcohol is NOT considered a factor in this investigation. NO additional vehicles or people were directly involved.

This is the link to 'Reach Air' Air Ambulance:reachairambulance.com/membership/faqs.html.

Strovink says all notifications concerning the deceased have been appropriately completed.