Man Drives Truck Into Lewis River, Gets Out Then Walks Away

A man drove a pickup truck into the Lewis River east of the Lewis River Golf Course Tuesday afternoon, then left on foot after escaping the sinking pickup. Firefighters and sheriff’s deputies were called to the Haapa Boat Launch, 43511 N.E. Haapa Road, shortly after 2 p.m. Someone reported seeing the vehicle in the water. Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office Chief Criminal Deputy Charlie Rosenzweig did not know where on the river the man “put in,” and said the truck was still in the water later that afternoon. After driving into the river, the man was able to get out then get to shore.