New Car Swept away
during Owner’s Attempt to Cross Stream – Vehicle lost for days and just recently found
On March 31, 2010, at approximately 8:45 A.M., Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were called to assist a citizen whose vehicle had been swept down stream. The location was “Mormon’s Crossing” which intersects with Willow Point Road in Cornville.
The 39-year-old Village of Oak Creek resident, Erik Naedler, told deputies his 2010 green Kia Sportage floated away after he attempted to drive through Mormon’s Crossing. Naedler explained that after he drove one-third of the distance across the stream, he felt something was wrong. He put the vehicle in reverse and started to back out, but the current began to take the vehicle downstream. When the vehicle interior began filling with water, he tried to open the door but was not successful. He was able to roll down a window and exit the vehicle as it continued downstream. Naedler grabbed a tree limb and was now about 100 yards from the road crossing. He made it to shore, but his vehicle had disappeared.
Naedler located a resident in the area and called 911 to report the incident. Deputies searched downstream for about 200 yards, but were unable to locate the Kia. Naedler was cited for Criminal Littering / Polluting of a waterway.
The Kia was located on April 11, 2010, as water levels began subsiding. A YCSO field supervisor took photos of the Kia yesterday while it remained stationary 300 yards from the crossing. There are no roads to access the area. Removal is pending reduced water levels.
On March 18, 2010, a driver lost control of his 2000 Buick sedan attempting to drive through Mormon’s Crossing. The vehicle was swept across to the opposite bank and eventually recovered. There were no injures and the driver was cited.
YCSO cannot stress enough the danger of attempting river crossings like these. Water flow rates and levels remain high due to continued snow melt off in the surrounding areas.
Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with information or questions at
(928) 771-3260 or the YCSO website: www.ycsoaz.gov
