Chelan man dies after pickup plunges into Chelan River off Gorge Road

CHELAN — A Chelan man died after his pickup truck left Gorge Road and plunged into the Chelan River on July 4, according to the Chelan County Sheriff's Office.

Emergency responders were dispatched at approximately 4:30 p.m. after a caller reported that a vehicle had possibly gone off Gorge Road between Chelan and Chelan Falls.

Chelan Fire and Rescue personnel and Chelan County sheriff's deputies located a red Toyota Tacoma submerged in the river at the bottom of the canyon. Deputies used a drone to assess the scene while firefighters established a rope rescue system to safely reach the vehicle.

Responders found a single occupant inside the truck who had died in the crash.

To assist with the recovery, Chelan County PUD temporarily reduced the flow of water in the Chelan River, allowing members of the Chelan County Sheriff's Office High Angle Rope Rescue Team to reach the vehicle, recover the victim and assist with removing the truck from the river.

The Chelan County Coroner's Office identified the victim as 58-year-old Vladimir Stepanov of Chelan. The coroner determined he died from multiple injuries sustained in the crash. Toxicology results indicated that drugs and alcohol were not factors.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that may assist investigators is asked to contact Chelan County Sheriff's Office Chief Ryan Moody at ryan.moody@co.chelan.wa.us.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media