A man had to be rescued when he jumped into the Clearwater River after fleeing Nez Perce County sheriff’s deputies east of Lewiston Monday morning.
The man, whose name was not immediately released, was part of a larger group contacted at about 9 a.m. by deputies at the Clearwater River Casino on allegations of possessing illegal narcotics. The man ran from the complex minutes later, and crossed U.S. Highway 12/95 on foot before jumping in the river.
A search team on the river bank almost immediately lost sight of the man because of high and swift-moving waters. He was found clinging to shore about 50 to 60 yards downriver from where he jumped in. He was taken to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center showing signs of hypothermia.
