CLARKSTON – Rescue crews were called to the scene of a car and person in the water at Chief Timothy Campground west of Clarkston early Monday morning.

Asotin County Fire District #1 and Lewiston Fire Department ambulance and rescue crews were dispatched at 1:45 a.m. Monday morning after receiving a report of a car in the water.

According to Asotin County Fire District #1, witnesses said the car had been driving through the campground at a high rate of speed and eventually drove through a camping area and into the water. It was unclear at first if the driver of the submerged vehicle got out of the car.

When deputies arrived they could hear someone yelling out in the water. According to Asotin County Fire District #1, the driver, who was “possibly intoxicated,” had escaped the car and swam to the Highway 12 side of the river, but would not get out of the water.

People in a private boat threw the man a flotation device. An Asotin County Fire District rescue boat arrived and located the car. Witnesses reported no other person had been seen in the car.

Rescue crew members were able to grab the driver as he was getting tired in the water. He was transported to the hospital to be checked for injuries.

The man’s name had not been released as of Monday morning. There were no other reported injuries. Asotin County Sheriff’s Deputies are investigating this incident.