The Douglas County Search & Rescue team rescued a California man who became stuck in deep snow near Azalea after following his GPS system last weekend.
On Saturday shortly after midnight, Douglas County 9-1-1 received a text from an individual stating he had gotten stuck in snow after following his GPS and was in need of assistance.
Deputies learned 34-year-old Juan Carlos Torres-Esquivel of Santa Rosa had purchased a pickup in Corvallis and was heading back to his residence when he encountered weather-related delays on Interstate 5. Google Maps recommended a detour that instructed him to take Exit 88, drive east on Upper Cow Creek Road and then turn south onto Snow Creek Road.
Torres-Esquivel made it approximately five miles up Snow Creek Road before sliding into a deep ditch and getting his vehicle stuck in about 24 inches of snow. He was unprepared for the conditions and unsuccessful in digging the pickup out without a shovel.
Douglas County Search & Rescue was activated and responded to assist. An abandoned U-Haul truck was in the middle of the roadway, but members of the 4x4 team were able to maneuver around the U-Haul by airing down their tires and they retrieved the stranded man. He was given a courtesy ride to Seven Feathers.
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office would like to remind drivers of the dangers of blindly following GPS devices. Lieutenant Brad O'Dell said blindly following GPS navigation can potentially lead to hazardous situations with serious consequences.
