The man who was suspected of driving a van into the Clackamas River at Barton park, with his wife inside, has been arrested.
On August 8, Clackamas County Sheriff's deputies responded to a report of a van in the Clackamas River at Barton Park. A woman was rescued, but a man was seen floating down river.
The woman told deputies her husband drove into the park without saying anything. They were not intending on going to Barton Park. The man drove to the boat ramp and accelerated, still without saying anything.
The van entered the river at about 35-40 mph. The female injured her knee due to the impact. They were both able to exit the submerging van through the driver’s door. The male made his way to the center of the river and began to float downstream. The female made her way to shore where she was assisted by people there.
Early Saturday morning, deputies responded to a report of a suspicious person in the area of Highway 224 and 197th Avenue. They found the suspect, 51-year-old David Findley. He was in a disheveled condition and wanted to go to a hospital.
Clackamas Fire District #1 and American Medical Response came to the scene to check on Findley. He was then transported to the Clackamas County Jail without incident and later interviewed by an investigator from the Clackamas County Domestic Violence Enhanced Response Team (DVERT).
Findley was booked at the jail on the following charges: Attempted Assault II, Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver (Injury), and Reckless Endangering.