[Update: Additional Resources Planned for Search Tomorrow] Authorities Respond to Possible Submerged Vehicle off Highway 162; Occupancy Unknown

Emergency responders were dispatched late Tuesday morning, February 17, to a reported traffic collision along Highway 162 in Mendocino County after debris, tire marks, and reports of a vehicle possibly entering the river were discovered near Mile Marker 10.8, just east of Tatu Creek, about 18 miles west of Covelo.

According to the California Highway Patrol Traffic Incident Information Page, the incident was first reported around 11:25 a.m. when debris and tire marks leading off the roadway were observed. Shortly afterward, callers reported a possible vehicle in the river. A person believed to be related to the registered owner reportedly pulled over near where the vehicle left the roadway, though details about the vehicle itself were initially unclear.

Scanner traffic indicates CHP units arrived in the area and began searching on foot for potential occupants. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist. Deputies later reported the vehicle appeared to be submerged underwater, with no visual confirmation of occupants at the time.

Authorities requested a water rescue and recovery response as the search continued.
Limited information about the driver or any passengers was available as of midday, and responders were still working to locate the vehicle and determine whether anyone was inside.

This is a developing situation, and information may change as more details become available.

UPDATE 12:38 p.m.: Investigators are working to identify the vehicle possibly involved in the Highway 162 crash west of Covelo. According to the CHP Traffic Incident Information Page, authorities notified the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office after a possible involved vehicle was identified by a Flock license-plate reader system leaving Covelo earlier in the morning, around 7:18 a.m.

Dispatch notes indicate the registered owner associated with the possible vehicle has multiple vehicles registered in their name. Earlier reports from the scene indicated debris and tire marks leading off the roadway near Mile Marker 10.8, with responders searching for a vehicle believed to be submerged in the river. As of the latest update, authorities had not located a driver or passenger.

Update: Around 5 p.m. this afternoon, emergency personnel terminated the search for the vehicle believed to have driven off of Highway 162 into the river earlier today. Earlier in the day, Redheaded Blackbelt spoke with Public Information Officer Giselle Moore with the Garberville CHP about the search. At this time, information is limited, however Officer Moore stated that the swift, turbulent waters were preventing Search and Rescue from being able to locate a vehicle in the swollen waters of the Eel River. Scanner traffic indicated additional Search and Rescue personnel from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office along with a Lake County dive team will be on scene tomorrow.

Note: This article has been updated after it was originally published to correct the incident location.

Updates:

• Search Efforts Resume After Vehicle Plunges into Eel River on SR-162
• River Runs High as Covelo Community Waits for Answers
• Search for Missing Covelo Couple Suspended for Third Day as Crews Battle Swift River Conditions
• Breaking News: Fourth Day of River Search Brings New Development in Case of Missing Covelo Couple