Car Surfing Lands Man In Hospital, Police Say

A group of teens and young men had been drinking and driving when one of them made the suggestion to get on the roof of the car and hang on as it sped down the road, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

"This is a classic case of what happens with alcohol, a vehicle and stupidity," said Steve Mansfield of the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

An 18-year-old decided to get on top of his friend’s car Monday in Packwood to surf as the 21-year-old driver accelerated, said the sheriff’s office.

“The vehicle accelerated to 50 or 60 mph, took a corner and kept right on going. It was a little ways down the road the driver realizes, hey, my buddy isn't on top anymore," said Mansfield.

Once the driver realized his friend had flown off the top of the car, the driver finally turned around to go find his friend, police said.

Police said when the driver went back, he saw his friend laying there with head and rib injuries.

The sheriff said when it comes to car surfing, it is the driver who is held responsible under the law. The sheriff expected the car's driver to face charges of reckless endangerment.

The teen who fell off the speeding car was brought to the hospital, and his injuries were non-life-threatening.

The sheriff’s office said the boy was very fortunate that he didn’t die.