Chelan River ‘Lowered’ so Accident Victim, Truck, Can Be Pulled From Steep Canyon

The crash occured July 4th, rescue crews began work July 5th.

   Chelan River Lowered to Allow Retrieval of Crash Victim

The original crash occured around 4:30 PM July 4th.  Chelan County Deputies and EMS were notified about a truck that had apparently driven off Gorge Road, between Chelan and Chelan Falls, a few miles south of town.

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Rescue crews, using ropes to create a safety system, were able to get down the steep canyon, and found a red Toyota Tacoma pickup submerged in the Chelan River at the bottom.  Rescuers, also using a drone, were able to determine the driver, identified as 58-year-old Vladimir Stepanov of Chelan, was inside, but deceased.

    How Did the Truck Get There?

The Coroner is now examining the victim to determine cause of death, but Officials say so far, drugs and alcohol were not a factor.  The investigation has not yet determined what led to the truck leaving the road and plummeting into the canyon.

Rescue and retrieval crews were able to extract the truck from the water, along with the victim, after the Chelan PUD was able to lower the river level temporarily to allow workers to get the vehicle and victim out safely.

The investigation continues.