Hundreds gather to remember boy who died in Columbia River
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CLACKAMAS, Ore. – Hundreds gathered Tuesday to remember a 7-year-old Clackamas boy after the pickup he was riding in plunged into the Columbia River, killing him.
Jacob Arntson was riding with his 40-year-old father, John, on Interstate 84 near Mosier Monday afternoon. Their pickup slid on ice and plunged over the guardrail into the water. Jake's father got out safely and swam to shore, but Jake did not. Divers found Jake's body still inside the truck in about 40 feet of water.
A spontaneous memorial took shape on the baseball field at Clackamas High School where 
Jake's father coached the sport. When players and teachers heard about Jake's death, they just started showing up.
They stood silently in the field, and students, many 10 years older than Jake, brought trinkets, toys and a baseball with his name inscribed upon it.
"They loved him. Everybody was drawn to Jake," said assistant baseball coach Tom Bohlman. "All the high school kids out here liked to play with Jake. Jake would get into, like I said, mischief. Get into the dirt and rocks and mud and go home and Mom and Dad would have to clean him up."
Bohlman had known Jake since he was born.
Jake's principal, Khaliyah Williams-Rodriguez, at Oregon Trail Elementary, remembered him as a kid who loved reading, sports and toys.
"He's gonna be remembered by his smile, his laughter and his hard work," she said.
Williams-Rodriguez said they're planning a way for students to remember Jake. Ideas include children writing memories of Jake and putting them in a jar or planting a tree outside the school in his honor.
Jake's family released a statement that reads in part: "Jake was just 7 years old, but in those 7 years he brought so much light into our world and touched so many lives as a friend and classmate. He was a wonderful child, and we miss him so much. Jake: we love you forever."
The family said it will set up a fund in memory of Jake in the next few days.
Was this dad driving too fast for the predictable icy winter conditions on I84? Was there sufficient notification to the public about ice on the highway? Â
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Such a sad, sad story. Seven years old - far too young.Â
For those of you questioning it, for one thing, you weren't in that situation, so you don't know what you would really do. And the father was injured too, barely made it to shore. Water that cold will freeze up your muscles and your coordination, and you can't think right or make rational decisions or movements. The truck was sinking and it was dark. Very easy to become disoriented, even without the cold and being injured. Do not judge, lest you be judged yourself. Let this family grieve and keep your horrid speculations to yourselves.  Â
 @lisaptz No one is judging anyone here.....these are just comments.  Your comment speculates more than what I've seen on here....Waters cold, muscles freeze up, coordination problems, becoming disoriented, etc, etc....Nothing horrid on this page...relax. Â
 @lisaptz Last thing I'd be doing is checking the comments section here, we're all arm chair sleuths/crazies/insert own speculation.
People can be so cruel. As much as we want to believe what we would do in that situation, we don't know! Shock added to the effects of ice cold water are going to affect the brain and body in ways we can only imagine.  My heart goes out to Jake, his dad, and all their  family and friends. May the memories he brought soothe the pain they are having to endure.
I'm glad I'm not the only one on here questioning what happened. Â I have two beautiful boys..and I would do everything in my power to get them out no matter what the circumstances. Â I wasn't there and we don't know the whole story...so, I'm not here judging the Father. Â I'm just saying what I would do in this situation. Â My kids are my life. Â There is an old saying out there..."Fight or flight" Â RIP little guy, and condolences to the family.
What a wonderful tribute for Jake and an amazing show of support for his family.
How did the father survive and the 7 year old didn't? If it were my kid I'd make sure he got out - dead or alive. The guy must have panicked and/or been out of it. Definitely more to the story.
A horrible tragedy. My condolences to his family and friends.
This is so sad. Â I don' t understand how the father got out and did not get his son out. Â As a parent I would give my life to save my child.
 @Leinenkugle's I'm with you, I'm not getting out without my kid, even if we both don't make it.
 @deejm2112  @Leinenkugle's I am so surprised with the agreeabl . comments.  Even if my child died I would still get him out.  In a case like this the father did not have time to assess his son' s condition and should have grabbed him at once.  That is just the parental instinct.
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 @Leinenkugle's  @Leinenkugle's I don't think I could live with myself (literally) if I survived and my child didn't.
 @Leinenkugle's you and me both. I would drown with my son before leaving him like that.Â
 @thomtra I would hope I would to, but unless you've been in that situation, how do you know for sure? Self preservation insticts are fairly strong in most people... I've never been in that situation so I cant say for sure.
 @cantcurestupid That is true. Little Jake could have been killed on impact as well. We don't know the facts. So very, very sad especially at this
time of year. My heart just breaks for the family.
All I know for sure is every time Im on that stretch of road, regardless of the conditions, it scares me knowing the river is right there and all that prevents me from entering said river is a concrete barrier that, lets face it, really cant stop an out of control car at any speed above 35 really...
@Leinenkugle's I wondered that too, but the story doesnt really give much detail on what happened other than ending up in the columbia. Disorentation and self preservation instincts Im sure were a major factor though. We werent there, maybe he died on impact? Who knows other than the authorities and the father himself, and honestly, I wouldnt want to ask right now. Prayers to the family.
How sad for all who knew him that Jake has passed over, for it is quite clear he will be dearly missed. I hope the can maybe take solace in the thought that the angels now have a special little boy  named Jake with whom to play sports with up in heaven.
What a heart breaker. RIP little Jake.
May this little guy forever reside in a place far better then we could ever imagine. Heartfelt condolences to his family.
Not to be rude, Dan, but would you kindly correct this Elementary School's name:Â Oregon Train Elementary. It is TRAIL, not TRAIN.
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On behalf of all who have heard the horrible news, our hearts are deeply saddened by the loss of this little boy.Â
Thanks, Dan. Much appreciated.
 @washcomom Apparently they don't read the comments.  I saw that too.
 @my2cents Dan did correct the story last night. Sometimes they do, and is appreciated when the corrections are made.Â
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Have a wonderful and safe new year!
I am so very sorry this happened. This is terrible. I feel so bad for the family. Â God bless you.
Sorry you have to deal with this. I wish I could say it gets easier as time goes on but that would not be honest. Maybe over decades the memories will fade but for now, just tough it out.
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Nothing you did caused this. Black ice is a hazard that come come out of nowhere once the car is out of control there is no stopping it.
What do you say to this... I never met Jake, but in that photo, he sure looks like he was full of life and fun...and possibly, just a little bit of occasional mischief... :-)
Rest in peace, Jake...Â
Condolences go Jake's family and friends for their loss...Â
So heart wrenching. Wishing Jake's family and friends comfort and prayers. RIP Jake.
 My deepest condolences to Jake's family and friends. RIP, Little Man.
@Lips And i'll raise that a thoughts and prayers!
 @Manic Peddy  @Lips ~ Manic, I read your reply to Lips a little differently... and I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt, hoping that was your intentions were good, if a little misguided...Â
Some threads lend themselves to "casual" (for lack of a better word) remarks... this is one of those that does not... this boy's family and friends may well read these comments... off-hand comments, even if not intended in a bad way, can really hurt at a time like this...
 @washcomom  @margay1 I love a good troll. This one is below average. But some reports.. this one... it's just not okay. Guess that's what sets the good ones apart from the total trash.
 @Lips  @margay1 Especially when "she" just joined Facebook yesterday.
 @margay1 When in doubt, click on the profile for troll confirmation.
 @Manic Peddy  @Lips I can understand your cynicism and need to troll. But believe it or not, some people really do mean it. I'm sorry that you've been lied to, abused, or whatever else it was that caused your hate, but thankfully we haven't all given up on humanity.Â