Washington man survives nearly three days in crashed vehicle in remote Baker County
By Garrett Christensen on Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER COUNTY — (Release from the Baker County Sheriff’s Office) On September 22, 2025 at approximately 9:38 a.m., Baker County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch received a report of a motor vehicle crash on Anthony Lakes Highway near Antelope Peak Road. Law enforcement, fire and medical personnel responded to the scene.
Upon arrival, authorities located a 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit down an embankment. The operator, identified as Paul Bartholomew Schwinberg (75 yoa) of Richland, Washington, was found in the vehicle. Fire and medical personnel assisted Schwinberg up the embankment to a waiting ambulance.
During the investigation, it was determined that Schwinberg went to an appointment in Kennewick, Washington on Friday, September 19th and was headed back to his home in Richland, Washington. At some point during the drive, Schwinberg took a wrong turn and realized he was lost. He failed to negotiate a curve on Anthony Lakes Highway and traveled over an embankment, with the vehicle coming to rest in a creek bed. Schwinberg was able to exit the vehicle but unable to climb the steep embankment. He remained there throughout the weekend until a local rancher came along and spotted him on Monday morning.
Schwinberg was evaluated by Pioneer Ambulance medics and transported to St. Alphonsus Hospital.
Baker County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by North Powder Rural Fire Protection District and Pioneer Ambulance.
