Highway 97 traffic stop, crash spark rescue drama

A traffic stop and vehicle impounding turned into a rescue drama Thursday afternoon on Highway 97 north of Klamath Falls when an SUV struck the back of a tow truck, left the road and plunged into an irrigation canal, troopers said.

Around 3 p.m., an OSP sergeant was on a traffic stop when he called for a tow to impound a vehicle of a driver with a suspended license, said Capt. Bill Fugate.

The tow truck arrived, turned on its amber warning lights and was getting into position when a northbound 2012 Toyota RAV4 driven by George Beaubien, 79, of Chiloquin, hit the rear of the tow truck, then lost control, drove off the highway and into a canal with about five feet of water in it, Fugate said.

The sergeant radioed for help and began efforts to save the driver from the canal. Several troopers and OSP detectives arrived and were able to rescue Beaubien and his dog from the submerged vehicle, Fugate said.

Beaubien was taken to Sky Lakes Medical Center in Klamath Falls with minor injuries. The tow truck driver, Jeremy Tuttle, 41, of Klamath Falls, was unhurt. Fugate said the investigation is continuing