Teens rescued by MLPD officers after car crashes into canal

MOSES LAKE — Two teenagers were rescued by four Moses Lake Police Department Officers after their vehicle reportedly went into an irrigation canal early Sunday morning.

About 2 a.m. Clayton Clark, 18, of Moses Lake, was driving a 1995 Honda Civic on Road 5 Northeast, near Road L Northeast, when he reportedly failed to make a turn. The Civic left the road, struck a railing and rolled onto its roof into an irrigation canal, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

Four MLPD officers responded to the scene and reportedly jumped into the running water and rescued the passenger in the Civic, identified as Jesus Cornejo, 19, of Moses Lake. Police were then able to rescue Clark, who was still inside the vehicle. Clark received life-threatening injuries and was initially transported to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake, but was later flown to Providence-Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. Cornejo received minor injuries and was transported to Samaritan Hospital. One MLPD officer received a minor hand injury during the water rescue.

Alcohol was cited as a factor in the incident. It was not known Sunday if Clark and Cornejo were wearing seatbelts. The Grant County Sheriff’s Office Motor Traffic Unit is investigating the incident.

“Moses Lake police officers did a great job and risked their own lives to rescue the car’s occupants,” Sheriff Tom Jones said.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.