Wash. Deputy's Leg Amputated after Falling Tree Crushes Cruiser

Feb. 24, 2023

Clark County Sheriff's Deputy Drew Kennison is recovering from surgery to have his leg amputated just above the knee after a falling tree struck his SUV as he was driving in Skamania County.

By Savannah Eadens

Source oregonlive.com

Clark County, WA, Sheriff's Deputy Drew Kennison had hls leg amputated after his patrol SUV was crushed by a falling tree in Skamania County on Wednesday.

Doctors decided Drew Kennison’s crushed leg could not be saved.

The deputy’s left leg was amputated just above the knee, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday.

RELATED: Wash. Deputy Seriously Injured when Snow-Laden Tree Falls on Cruiser

He underwent surgery at Peace Health Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver before being stabilized and taken to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in North Portland, where he is recovering.

Kennison, who’s spent 14 years with the sheriff’s office, was traveling along Washougal River Road in Skamania County Wednesday when a falling tree hit the SUV he was driving. The SUV went off the road and came to rest against another tree, sheriff’s officials said. Kennison had to be cut out of the wreck.

The deputy, a father of three, will need more surgeries in the near future, but he’s in “good spirits,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a Facebook post.

Kennison has served on special assignments with the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force and the sheriff’s office Tactical Detective Unit. He’s currently on the Southwest Washington Regional SWAT team.

The Kennison family is accepting donations to help with his recovery.

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