Driver rescued after vehicle plunges 200 feet down North Bay embankment

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A driver was rescued early Tuesday after their vehicle crashed about 200 feet down an embankment in Santa Rosa’s Fountaingrove area, fire officials said.

Santa Rosa Fire Department crews were dispatched shortly after 2 a.m. to a report of a solo vehicle collision near Hansford Court, according to Paul Lowenthal, the department’s division chief and fire marshal.

Responding firefighters initially had difficulty locating the vehicle and had to circle back after the initial call to continue the search.

“(Firefighters) were unable to find any accident because A, they were unaware that the vehicle was off the side of the hill, and B, the foggy conditions, and so they were unable to locate anything after searching the area,” said Lowenthal.

After about 20 minutes, firefighters from the new Fire Station 5 in Fountaingrove were called back to the same general area where Lowenthal said they then “physically started going down the hill and located the vehicle about 200 feet off the roadway.”

Once the vehicle was located, firefighters requested additional resources, including a ladder truck, a battalion chief and assistance from Santa Rosa police. The driver was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

According to Sgt. Patricia Seffens, a spokesperson with the Santa Rosa Police Department, an officer arrived on scene at around 2:05 a.m.

Drugs and alcohol are not thought to be factors in the crash and police are not investigating the crash as a crime.

“The officer didn’t believe any kind of crime occurred and there did not appear to be impairment,” said Seffens. “Because no other vehicles were involved, it’s really just an insurance issue for the owner of the vehicle.”

Firefighters conducted a low-angle rope rescue, using ropes and a specialized basket to reach the vehicle and bring the patient up to the roadway, Lowenthal said. The patient was then transported by ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.

Further details about the driver’s condition were not available.