We are grateful to Susan Baker Smith for the article and the obituary.
Gazette Times
February 17, 1972
AUTO INTO CREEK; 1 DEAD, 1 MISSING
ALBANY- Two persons apparently drowned after a car in which they were riding plunged into Muddy Creek, five miles southeast of Corvallis in Linn County at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday.
Killed in the mishap was David William Hensley, 25, Rt 3 Box 850, Albany, whose body was found by Linn County sheriff’s officers this morning. The body of Scott Edward Deatherage, 1, of Corvallis is still missing. He is presumed drowned.
Driver of the car was Dennis Edward Deatherage, 24, 1040 NW 23rd St., Corvallis, the child’s father. He was thrown clear of the car after the vehicle failed to negotiate a curve, struck the Muddy Creek bridge on Market Road 12 and plunged into the rain-swollen stream, the sheriff’s department said. Deatherage was reported in good condition at Good Samaritan Hospital today.
Two other passengers, Joseph Anthony Wydronek, 18, 1006 NW Alder Creek Drive, Corvalis, and Deborah K. Wallace, 18, Philomath, were able to extricate themselves from the wrecked car and swim to shore.
Both were treated at Good Samaritan Hospital for minor injuries and released, hospital officials said today.
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