Three walk away from Palouse River wreck

Three Pullman men escaped serious injury Saturday at about 8 p.m. when the 1999 Ford Explorer in which they were riding went off the North Palouse River Road and rolled into the river about two miles upstream from Colfax.

A report by Sheriff’s Sgt. Chris Chapman said when officers arrived they found three soaked males who said they had been in the Explorer. Deputies determined Adam Kerchner, 28, was the driver of the Explorer. Passengers were identified as Harrison Fleishman, 23, and Robert Bowell, 25. Kerchner and Fleishman were treated at the scene and Bowell was transported to Whitman Hospital for treatment of minor cuts. He was later released from the hospital.

A Colfax police investigation determined the vehicle rolled once down the embankment and came to a halt on its wheels in the river.

Kerchner was arrested on probable charges of driving under the influence and making false and misleading statements to an officer. He was booked into the county jail. The report also alleged a warrant for Kercherne’s arrest was outstanding from district court. He was also arrested for driving with a suspended license.