A motorist who crashed off Highway 20 and down an embankment toward the Marys River suffered non-life-threatening injuries Friday morning and was transported to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis, Philomath Fire and Rescue reported.
Emergency medical personnel were dispatched to the scene at 9:55 a.m. Jan. 26 with a report of a vehicle off the roadway near Highway 20 and Mustang Lane less than a mile west of Philomath.
“It took some time to locate the vehicle as the 911 caller was a passerby who did not stop,” Deputy Fire Chief Rich Saalsaa said. “Eventually, the vehicle was located off Highway 20, eastbound, about one-fourth mile east of Mustang Lane down a 15-foot embankment coming to rest at the bank of the Marys River.”
Fire Chief Chancy Ferguson along with Philomath Police and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office reached the driver, who was the lone occupant of the vehicle, and helped him up to the roadside. After he was evaluated, a Corvallis Fire ambulance drove him to the hospital.
Philomath Fire and Rescue’s response included an engine crew of three along with Ferguson and Saalsaa.
The eastbound lane of Highway 20 was closed for about 15 minutes during the operation.