Teen Rescued In River Accident

Valley Springs, CA — A Calaveras County teen was hurt when her vehicle went off the road near the Calaveras River Bridge.

The CHP reports that a 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 16-year-old Janelle Lewis of Valley Springs went off Hogan Dam Road near where it meets the Calaveras River Bridge. She was trying to negotiate a curve in the road and lost control of the vehicle. The SUV went over a concrete retaining wall and fell approximately 20 ft, landing upside down in the river. The water was approximately 3 ft. deep where the accident occurred. Lewis was able to get out of the vehicle safely, but required assistance from the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Department’s Dive Team to get out of the river.

She was transported to UC Davis Medical Center to treat major injuries. Other agencies that assisted included the Calaveras Consolidated Fire District, CAL Fire, and the Clements Fire Department. The accident occurred late last week.