Salem man killed in Detroit Lake pickup plunge

A pickup truck left state Hwy. 22E late Saturday night, plunged into Detroit Lake and sank, killing the Salem man at the wheel, Oregon State Police reported.

The victim was identified by troopers Sunday afternoon as Michael Joseph Fischer Jr., 35. OSP is continuing its investigation into the cause of the crash.

Shortly before midnight, drivers heading east on the highway near milepost 47 witnessed a westbound 2005 Ford F15 pickup as it crossed the highway, went down a steep embankment and into the lake, where it submerged beneath the surface, troopers said.

Emergency personnel from OSP, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Idanha-Detroit Rural Fire Protection District, Lyons Rural Fire Protection District and ODOT responded to the scene.

About an hour after the crash, two OSP troopers who responded to the scene, removed their duty gear and entered the water.

They found the pickup’s occupant submerged about 15 feet under water inside the cab, showing no signs of life.

The troopers then hooked the end of a tow truck winch onto the pickup so it could be pulled out of the water and up to the road. Fischer was confirmed dead inside the pickup.

Boats from OSP and Marion County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.

Trooper Michael Lacer is the lead investigator.