A Fairview man reportedly set his house on fire and drove his truck into a lake in what police are calling a mental health crisis.
The incident began at about 2:30 p.m. Friday, March 15, when Fairview Police responded to a report of a truck being driven into Fairview Lake off the 20700 block of Northeast Adam Lane, said Sgt. John Pemberton with the Fairview Police Department.
A man had driven a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado over a six- to eight-foot ledge, landing in about six inches of water in Fairview Lake. Water levels are unusually low this year due to lower than average rain fall, noted Lt. Steve Alexander, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office spokesman.
After getting out of the truck, the drenched man reportedly walked toward a house two blocks away and stopped in an empty field next to the house. Deputies with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office then noticed smoke coming from the house.
Crews from Gresham Fire & Emergency Services extinguished the fire, which appeared to have started in the living room.
The man sustained a head wound from hitting the windshield during the crash, Pemberton said. He was transported to a Portland hospital for treatment and a mental health evaluation.
He's lucky he walked away (from the crash), Pemberton said.
Police said the man is in his 40s and lives alone in the house with the fire. Fairview has no history of prior police calls at the address, Pemberton added.
The home sustained minor fire damage and major smoke damage, Pemberton said. The truck also sustained major front end damage.