Bend, OR – More than 20 vehicles were stranded on a snow-covered road in Union County, Oregon, last Wednesday, November 20, after GPS systems led drivers down an unsafe and unmaintained route. The incident occurred on Ruckle Road, a steep gravel path that had not been cleared for winter weather.
The first distress signal came at around 2:15 p.m. when an iPhone sent an SOS alert from a driver trapped on the road. Within the next 30 minutes, additional alerts followed as more drivers found themselves stuck in the same area. Union County’s emergency services swiftly responded to the scene, dispatching search and rescue teams to assist those in need.
Nick Vora, Union County’s emergency manager and search and rescue coordinator, reported that public works crews were able to clear the road with a plow, and within two hours, approximately 50 people had been safely escorted back to the main highway.
The drivers involved had been attempting to avoid closures and delays on nearby Interstate 84, relying on GPS directions that led them to the hazardous back road. According to Vora, GPS systems do not differentiate between winter and summer routes, making them unreliable in certain conditions. “GPS maps don’t account for winter hazards and will sometimes guide drivers onto routes that are impassable,” he explained. “It’s important to treat GPS directions as advice from a stranger—always be cautious.”
Union County rescue officials issued a public warning, calling the incident a cautionary tale. “This serves as an important reminder of the need to carefully evaluate and often ignore GPS-provided directions, particularly during the winter months,” a statement from the sheriff’s office said. “Interstate and highways are the safest routes in the region during bad weather, and if they are closed, it’s almost certainly dangerous to attempt alternate routes.”
Union County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Cherise Kaechele emphasized that similar incidents are an annual occurrence. “This is something we deal with every year,” she said. “People rely on GPS apps like Google Maps to guide them, but it can quickly turn dangerous in snowy and icy conditions.”
The incident echoes a similar tragedy that occurred in southern Oregon during Thanksgiving week in 2006. James Kim, along with his wife and two daughters, became stranded after taking an unmaintained, snow-covered road. After several days without rescue, James Kim set out on foot to seek help but tragically succumbed to hypothermia. His wife and children were later rescued by a local helicopter pilot.
Kaechele urged drivers to carry emergency kits and, above all, to stay on main roads during winter weather. She also reminded motorists to be patient and to wait for official help when necessary. The sheriff’s office continues to advise drivers to avoid unpaved roads and to stay informed about weather conditions before heading out.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with relying too heavily on GPS technology during adverse weather conditions, particularly in remote areas where roads may be poorly maintained.
