Montgomery County Firefighters rescued a 23-year-old Missouri man in Dobbin Wednesday night after his Ford F350 pickup left the roadway and went into Lake Creek. The incident occurred on Johnson Road east of FM 1486 around 10 p.m.
The victim, Vernie Dhring, was returning from Lufkin, using his GPS to navigate, when he drove into some high water. The water was already starting to cover the tires when Dhring decided to try and drive a little further and the vehicle was washed off the road.
He used his cell phone to call his sister, Shiloh, who was with family members on Giles Road. She contacted the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and her brother climbed on top of his truck as the current continued moving it.
MCSO Deputies approached from both sides of the creek and started into the water then realized the current was too strong. The Montgomery Fire Department responded with a rescue boat, which they launched into the water where Dhring’s truck had been stopped when it met a tree line. With the water around 8 feet deep, they were able to reach Dhring and return him to the shore unharmed. The truck will be removed when the water recedes enough.
