Released By: Sergeant Jason Wall
Release Date: May 27, 2023
Location: Deschutes River, near La Pine State Recreation Park
Narrative:
On May 27, 2023 at 3:15 pm, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a boat crash on the Deschutes River near La Pine State Recreation Park. Initial reports advised a jet boat was travelling up river when it struck a submerged tree that was not visible. As a result of the collision one of the passengers, a 50 year old male, was ejected from the boat.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue responded to the scene to assist La Pine Fire/Medics with the medical emergency. The male who was ejected from the boat sustained serious injuries, and needed to be carried from the crash site to an awaiting ambulance. Once in the ambulance the patient was transported to a landing zone where he was then flown via air ambulance to St. Charles, Bend.
Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies investigated the cause and manner of the crash, the driver of the boat was cooperative and alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash. The area of the Deschutes River the jet boat was being operated is closed to motorized craft, and the boat driver was issued a citation for that violation.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone to exercise caution when recreating on or near water this weekend. Although air temperatures are warming, the water in our surrounding lakes and rivers is still very cold. Hypothermia can set in very quickly and can be life threatening if a life vest is not being utilized. Alcohol and drugs can impair the ability to operate a motorized vehicle due to the fact they slow coordination, judgement, and reaction times. Please recreate responsibly this Memorial weekend.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Street Crimes, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with six K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves 210,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 265 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 195 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.
