About FlashAlert on Twitter:
FlashAlert utilizes the free service Twitter to distribute emergency text messages. While you are welcome to register your cell phone text message address directly into the FlashAlert system, we recommend that you simply "follow" the FlashAlert account for Clark Co. Sheriff's Office by clicking on the link below and logging in to (or creating) your free Twitter account. Twitter sends messages out exceptionally fast thanks to arrangements they have made with the cell phone companies.
Click here to add Clark Co. Sheriff's Office to your Twitter account or create one.
@ClarkCoSheriff
Update 2/23/2023 at 12:30 hours
Drew Kennison, a 14-year veteran of the Clark County Sheriff's Office, was the deputy injured in the incident yesterday. An agency photo of Deputy Kennison and a photo of his patrol vehicle is included in the release.
Deputy Kennison remains in the hospital in serious but stable condition with the support of family and friends by his side.
Update 2/22/2023 at 16:00 hours
Our deputy is now out of surgery and being transferred to a hospital in Portland.
He had significant injuries, especially to his lower extremities. He is listed as critical but stable condition.
Here is what we know as far as the crash is concerned. It appears that the upper portion of a large tree broke off, possibly because of the heavy snowfall, and fell onto his patrol vehicle as he was travelling on Washougal River Road.
The portion of the tree that fell was significant in size. It appears to have struck the vehicle where the windshield meets the hood. The vehicle then came to rest just off the roadway against another tree. Several other law enforcement officers were travelling with him when the incident occurred. They were able to quickly provide first aid. A local public works truck was in the area and helped remove the tree which was across the vehicle prior to the arrival of fire and emergency medical personnel.
Again, the Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all those that responded and helped in any way.
This release will be updated once we have more information.
On 2/22/2023 at approximately 10:16 hours, a Clark County Sheriff’s Office deputy was involved in a single vehicle, serious injury collision on Washougal River Road near Salmon Falls Road in Skamania County. The deputy was in Skamania County driving back from training.
The details of the crash are not fully known at this time. The crash was serious enough that personnel from Camas Washougal Fire Department, Vancouver Fire Department, East County Fire and Rescue, and Skamania Fire used heavy extrication tools to remove the deputy from the patrol vehicle. The deputy was transported to a local trauma center. He was in serious but stable condition and the extent of his injuries are not known at this time.
This release will be updated once we have more information.
Thank you to the personnel from the multiple fire and police agencies who responded to assist.