Beaverton Man Dies in Car Crash That Injures Two Others

"Without a second thought for his own safety, Deputy Muehleck ran into the near freezing water in an attempt to save Mr. Saviers' life." - - Sgt. Bob Ray, Washington County Sheriff's Office

Photos of crash scene: Washington County Sheriff

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Washington County Sheriff's deputies responded to a single vehicle crash on NW West Union Road west of NW 185th Avenue this morning at 2:34 a.m.

The initial investigation according to Sgt. Bob Ray with the Washington County Sheriff's Office, revealed that a 1989 Jeep Cherokee driven by 26 year-old Chad Saviers of Beaverton, crashed while it was Westbound on West Union Road.

Ray says the initial investigation reveals that Mr. Saviers drove onto the right shoulder then steered to the left in an attempt to correct the vehicle.

"The quick steering appears to have caused the Jeep to spin out of control and leave the roadway. The Jeep came to rest upside-down partially submerged in about four feet deep water on the north side of the road. The water is a swampy overflow from Rock Creek."

He says the three adult passengers in the Jeep were able to escape the vehicle and call for help from a nearby residence. Mr. Saviers was trapped in the vehicle secured by his seatbelt.

Two minutes after the 911 call, Washington County Deputy Sheriff Dan Muehleck arrived, Ray said.

"Deputy Muehleck learned that Mr. Saviers was trapped underwater in the vehicle. Without a second thought for his own safety, Deputy Muehleck ran into the near freezing water in an attempt to save Mr. Saviers' life."

Ray saed Deputy Muehleck did not know the depth of the water or how soft the bottom was.

"He quickly found himself with all of his duty gear on, up to his chest in the frigid water. The deputy handed his flashlight to one of the passengers to light up the vehicle to allow him to use both hands to free Mr. Saviers from the Jeep."

Deputy Muehleck found Mr. Saviers unconscious, removed him from the vehicle and was able to bring him to the edge of the road for medical treatment.

TVF&R arrived as Deputy Muehleck reached the roadway with Mr. Saviers. Ray says they were unsuccessful in their attempts to revive Mr. Saviers who was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Two of the passengers were transported by ground ambulance for possible hypothermia. The third passenger refused treatment.

Deputy Muehleck has been with the Sheriff's Office since December 2007. The Crash Analysis Reconstructive Team (CART) responded to assist with the investigation.

Alcohol does appear to be a factor in this crash. The water temperature is unknown. The outside temperature at the time was about 35 degrees. West Union Road was closed for about three hours. The investigation is continuing.