By Bill Lindelof
blindelof@sacbee.com
The California Highway Patrol said a drunk driver ran his pickup truck into a drainage ditch Thursday night in Olivehurst, causing major injuries to his passenger.
The CHP said that Michael W. Shaeffer, 38, of Olivehurst was southound on Feather River Boulevard, south of Myrna Avenue, near the Yuba County Airport, about 7 p.m., when due to his level of intoxication, he allowed his pickup to leave the right side of the roadway.
Shaeffer was able to pull back from the edge, but lost control and the truck ran off the left side of Feather River Boulevard. The front of Shaeffer's truck hit a partially filled drainage ditch.
Shaeffer and his passenger needed to be removed from the truck with a hydraulic prying tool. Shaeffer, who struck the windshield, suffered head cuts.
His passenger, a 29-yearpold Olivehurst woman, suffered major injuries, including two leg fractures, according to the CHP. She was taken by medical helicopter to Sutter Roseville Hospital.
The CHP said that Shaeffer was taken to a Rideout Memorial Hospital in Marysville.
After medical clearance, he was booked into Yuba County Jail on suspicion of driving under the influence, the CHP said in a news release.
Call The Bee's Bill Lindelof, (916) 321-1079.









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