A teenager from Portland, Oregon, has recounted his dramatic escape from a submerged car after it plunged into a river, leaving him as the sole survivor. The 17-year-old, DJ Buckner, was among four passengers in a white 1996 Toyota Corolla driven by 19-year-old Roberto Garcia-Chavez.
The incident unfolded in the early hours of Monday when Garcia-Chavez reportedly sped off upon spotting a police vehicle, as detailed by officers from the Traffic Investigations Unit. During the frantic drive, the car veered through a park and smashed through a fence, ultimately plummeting into the 40-foot-deep waters of the Willamette River.
Tragically, DJ was the only one to make it out alive from the submerged vehicle. By Thursday, officials had identified two of the deceased victims as Garcia-Chavez and 17-year-old Trent Badillo. The third victim, believed to be a 20-year-old man, remains unnamed at this time.
Melissa Buckner, DJ’s mother, shared with The Oregonian that her son suspects he was rendered unconscious after hitting his head during the crash. He only regained consciousness upon the terrifying realization that he was inhaling water.
DJ’s mother, Melissa Buckner, told The Oregonian that her son believes he hit his head in the crash and was knocked unconscious.
He was suddenly jolted awake when he began inhaling water.
‘He just remembers he needed to grab his seatbelt and find the buckle,’ Melissa told the Oregonian. ‘He said he was swimming forever.’
Brian Hughes, Assistant Chief of the Portland police, said that the officer the group fled from did not pursue their vehicle. The officer only discovered what had happened after he pulled up next to the park and saw part of the fence missing.
DJ Buckner, 17, woke up in a car 40 feet underwater after his friend crashed into a river in Portland, Oregon, in the early hours of Monday
DJ’s mother, Melissa Buckner, said her son believes he was knocked unconscious in the crash and woke up after inhaling water. The mother and son are pictured together
DJ’s friend tore through a park before busting through a fence and crashing into the Willamette River while fleeing a traffic stop. A Portland park overlooking the river is pictured
The policeman then saw DJ treading water. The 17-year-old’s mother said that as soon as her son reached the surface, he began shouting that his three friends were still in the water.
Hughes said the officer who spotted DJ quickly called the US Coast Guard and Portland Fire and Rescue.
The 17-year-old was transported to a hospital for treatment while first responders unsuccessfully attempted to rescue the others.
Later on Monday, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office divers searched the bottom of the river and recovered the bodies of Garcia-Chavez and Badillo. The search for DJ’s third friend, who is presumed to be dead, is ongoing.
Melissa recounted the terrifying phone call she received at 3:30am informing her that her son was in the hospital.
‘I didn’t know that they had crashed,’ she told the Oregonian. ‘I didn’t know anything other than my son was in the hospital and I needed to get there.’
When she arrived, she found her son had suffered a fractured nose, black eyes and bruising.
‘Physically, he’s hurting. He’s not feeling good,’ she said. ‘Emotionally, it’s starting to hit him, but I’m sure he’s got a lot more to work through.’
Melissa (pictured) said that her son suffered a fractured nose, black eyes and bruising, and that the emotional toll of the crash and the loss of his friends is just starting to hit him
Melissa said that her son told her he was shouting at his friend to slow down during the police chase. DJ is pictured
Melissa said that her son and his friends had been on their way home when Garcia-Chavez saw a police car and ‘took off.’
Portland police said the white Corolla began speeding in the opposite direction of traffic and running red lights.
When an officer turned on his police lights to get the vehicle to stop, Garcia-Chavez fled down other streets before driving through Tom McCall Waterfront Park and crashing into the river.
During the chase, DJ was shouting, ‘Slow down, slow down, you’re going too fast!’ according to his mother.
Garcia-Chavez’s sister, Yanett Garcia-Chavez, told KOIN she does not know why her brother chose to flee from police.
She told the outlet he was a good kid who was active in JROTC and had planned to join the military before deciding to stay closer to home.
Portland police believe that Roberto Garcia-Chavez, 19, was behind the wheel of his white 1996 Toyota Corolla during the police chase
Garcia-Chavez’s sister said she does not know why her brother chose to flee from police. DJ’s mother said the young group of friends in the car ‘just made a stupid mistake’
‘There’s nothing that we can do now. We can’t go back in time. I can’t do anything to bring my brother back,’ Yanett told KOIN.
Yanett added that she does not blame anyone and is simply heartbroken by the situation.
DJ’s mother echoed that sentiment. She told the Oregonian: ‘Every one of them, they’re very, very good boys, just made a stupid mistake.’
