Bend, Ore. — Crook County Sheriff’s deputies, along with Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers, successfully rescued four motorists, including a young child, after two separate incidents of vehicles becoming stuck in snow on Sunday afternoon.
At approximately 3:45 p.m. on January 25, 2025, deputies were called to assist a pair of motorists who had become trapped on Forest Service Road 2610 in the Ochoco National Forest. According to Sergeant Steven Hatcher, a preliminary investigation revealed that the two men had been driving a Ford Ranger in snow conditions that were beyond both the vehicle’s capabilities and their driving experience. The stranded truck was buried in 2 to 3 feet of snow.
Given the remote location of the stranded motorists, the Crook County Sheriff’s Office activated the Search and Rescue team for assistance. The SAR team successfully located and assisted the men, returning them safely to Prineville.
While SAR members were actively responding to this first incident, another 911 call was received by Crook County Dispatch. This second call involved a woman and her 8-year-old child, who had become stuck on Forest Service Road 27, located east of Harvy Gap. The woman, driving a 2016 Chevy Tahoe, had attempted to navigate through the snow, which exceeded both the vehicle’s and her driving abilities. The pair became stranded, with temperatures in the mountain area expected to dip below 10 degrees that evening.
SAR team members quickly located the woman and her child and safely returned them to their residence in Prineville.
The Crook County Sheriff’s Office has extended their thanks to the Search and Rescue volunteers and deputies who helped ensure the safe recovery of all involved. The Sheriff’s Office also issued a reminder to all motorists to exercise caution and use good judgment when driving in winter conditions, particularly when traveling in remote areas such as public lands.
The incidents serve as a reminder of the challenges and dangers that can arise when driving in winter weather, and highlight the importance of being prepared for such conditions.
