A Klamath Falls man is accused of being drunk when he caused a spectacular single-vehicle crash at La Pine State Park that closed the park access road at the bridge over the Deschutes River.

Michael Cody Meeker, 37, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving and two counts of first-degree criminal mischief.

Authorities responding to a 5:03 p.m. emergency call, arrived at the bridge several miles off U.S. Highway 97 and found a trail of destruction on the road, a midsized SUV in the riverbed engulfed in flames and an uninjured man taking it all in.

“I was shocked when we got there and he was just standing there watching his car burn,” said sheriff’s Sgt. Troy Gotchy.

Police say Meeker was driving west on La Pine State Recreation Road in a 2012 GMC Acadia when he hit the guardrail and left the road at the bridge, spinning 180 degrees in the air and coming to rest on a dry section of riverbed under the bridge.

The Acadia took out about 80 feet of guardrail and damaged the bridge’s concrete structure, along with a pedestrian walkway and conduit and wiring, police said.

There were no skid marks or other signs Meeker slowed down or tried to avoid the collision.

Gotchy said Meeker is lucky to be alive.

“I’ve been doing this a long time, and that was one of the more impressive things I’ve seen,” he said.

Law enforcement officers said they observed several signs of impairment in Meeker — in his appearance and his speech. He was transported to the Deschutes County jail, and released Thursday morning.

Engineers with the Deschutes County Road Department responded to the crash to assess the bridge’s stability and approved it to remain open to vehicles.

The Acadia, however, was a loss. Authorities were unable to determine its color “due to fire damage.”

— Reporter: 541-383-0325, gandrews@bendbulletin.com