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Driver rescued after car goes into Clinton River

Posted at 6:37 PM, Apr 18, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-18 23:20:48-04

A river rescue was caught on camera in Rochester Hills and 7 Action News talked with an eyewitness and the first person to call 911.

The incident happened before 6:00 p.m. on Monday at the intersection of Avon & Livernois.

Carolyn Priebe was at the intersection, on her way home from work, when she watched it all unfold.

"Instead of turning all of the way south into Livernois on the road, he jumped over the curb and he took off over the grass and I saw his car disappear over the side of the hill and I knew there was the river right there so I freaked out,” said Priebe.

Priebe called 911 immediately, dispatchers asked her to stay on the scene.

She said she saw the man’s face right before he went over the hill and into the river.

"I couldn't tell if he was asleep, if he was drunk, I don't know what was going on with him, but his face was just very white, very pale,” said Priebe.

First responders were able to get the man out of the car and used a basket to get him to the top of the hill.

"He was at least conscious, we saw him wipe water from his face, but we don’t know what was going on with him. I hope he's okay,” said Priebe.

Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputies said the man is going to be fine.  They said he’s in his late 20s to early 30s. They are still investigating whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash. 

No other drivers were injured.