How Did This Stolen GMC Pickup End Up in the Eel?

Truck pulled from the Eel River. [Photo by Bobby Kroeker]

This afternoon a blue GMC 2500 4WD was discovered upside down in the Eel River near the south end of Redway. Because it wasn’t known whether the vehicle was occupied or not, emergency personnel from multiple agencies rushed to the scene. Redway Fire, Briceland Fire, Southern Humboldt County Technical Rescue Team’s Swift Water Rescue personnel, Garberville Fire, Cal Fire, and the California Highway Patrol all responded.

truck in river with rescuers

Truck in river with Swift Water Rescue Team. [Photo provided by Southern Humboldt County Technical Rescue]

“Swift Water Rescue personnel were able to make access to the vehicle,” said Diana Totten, a spokesperson for Southern Humboldt Technical Rescue. “We were able to walk to it using a special technique.”

When they got to the vehicle, they learned there were no occupants. “Then we assisted the tow company to hook up the vehicle,” Totten explained. “The truck was quite a ways out into the river.”

Personnel at the scene believed the truck must have been near the water further upriver. When the storm hit, the truck was rolled by the water downriver to this location.

A mashed GMC taken from the river

The tow company brought the vehicle to shore.  The vehicle still had the dealer’s paper in the license plate holder. This matches the description of a vehicle which was reported stolen out of Redway a week ago and shared widely on social media.

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23 Comments
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Guest
Guest
Guest
7 years ago

use a Winch

Biteme
Guest
Biteme
7 years ago

This is my buddy’s truck he didn’t get it stuck it was stolen stop making assumptions [edit]

Dan Fuller
Guest
Dan Fuller
7 years ago

Helluva day for finding vehicles in or near a river today, first off earlythis morning a torched vehicle under the Van Duzen Bridge here on Hwy 36!!! Then this one, makes 2 in one day, must be something in the air??!!!

Just-me
Guest
Just-me
7 years ago

I’m sure the vin is still visible. Shouldn’t take long to find previous owner.

G-MAS
Guest
G-MAS
7 years ago

That was a nice rig.i don’t have one could have used that one.waste full people.you must be pretty dumb to drive a new rig into swollen waters.nice smoking!!!💭

Liz
Guest
Liz
7 years ago
Reply to  G-MAS

It had been stolen and reported. Thieves don’t care if it is old or brand new, they just need to rid of it.

Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous
7 years ago

Or maybe someone got stuck in the river then decided to report it stolen

10 toes
Guest
10 toes
7 years ago

Use insurance flame at Kreations in rio dell , I’m sure it will be fixed back to normal . Might take a year and half . But they do wonderful work lol yeah right ! Expect no phone calls back and crap work.

Just Sayin'
Guest
Just Sayin'
7 years ago
Reply to  10 toes

What does your comment have to do with with the article other than to attempt a rather clumsy swipe at a local business? The proper forum for you is Yelp, where you can provide a detailed review of the business. That might possibly be helpful to other people, as well as the company with which you are so disenchanted. An off-topic slam on RHBB is not productive.

10 toes
Guest
10 toes
7 years ago
Reply to  Just Sayin'

Cause I can freedom of Internet, plus many others agree . Just sayin….

Bronco
Guest
Bronco
7 years ago
Reply to  10 toes

Freedom of Internet: The pathetic refuge of trolls.

TaylorMartin
Guest
TaylorMartin
7 years ago
Reply to  Just Sayin'

Thanks, Just Sayin’, for just sayin’ that nicely. I grew up with, “If ya can’t say somethin’ nice, don’t say anything at all.”

10 toes
Guest
10 toes
7 years ago

**claim ^*

Honeydew Bridge Chump
Guest
Honeydew Bridge Chump
7 years ago

Smart way to clean up any evidence, gotta give someone credit for being a smart criminal.

I’m guessing The Devil’s Lettuce had something to do with this crime and act of terror against the river.

Gringo
Guest
Gringo
7 years ago

Right, cuz it’s definitely not methamphetamine related…

Scooter
Guest
Scooter
7 years ago

More likely the devils Ale or the devils grape juice, or the devils rotten potato juice.

ViceLand
Guest
ViceLand
7 years ago

Well now he can get the new gen 2017 duramax. It’s way better anyways, new engine, more power and functional hood scoop. Yes I want one.

Lone ranger
Guest
Lone ranger
7 years ago

Why does it need to be fixed, I like that look, little rough but rides like new

Dan Fuller
Guest
Dan Fuller
7 years ago
Reply to  Lone ranger

Hi-Yo Silver, Oy vay???

MOGTX
Guest
7 years ago

The wild west a new brand of horse theives.

That guy
Guest
That guy
7 years ago

It wasn’t stolen…. FYI

G-MAS
Guest
G-MAS
7 years ago

Even worse.