MCSO Releases Additional Details on Search for Missing Covelo Couple; CHP Continues Crash Investigation
With both Gary and Yvonne Niesen now recovered from the Eel River following last week’s Highway 162 crash, authorities have clarified additional details about the search effort and confirmed the collision remains under investigation.
As previously reported, the couple’s vehicle left Highway 162 near mile marker 10.9 late Tuesday morning, February 17, and entered the fast-moving river. Gary Niesen, 89, was located inside the submerged vehicle on Friday after a private diver assisting the family found the car near the crash site. On Saturday afternoon, Yvonne Niesen, 91, was found approximately five miles downriver near mile marker 14.1.
According to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, the two kayakers who located Yvonne were not part of the coordinated search effort. They were on a preplanned kayaking trip when they discovered her in the river around 2 p.m. Saturday and alerted search personnel.
The California Highway Patrol confirmed that although no additional occupants are believed to be unaccounted for, the crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the collision is asked to contact the CHP Garberville Area office at (707) 932-6100 or the Humboldt Communication Center at (707) 268-2000.
In a social media statement, the Niesen family thanked the two kayakers along with the many agencies and volunteers who participated in the five-day search and recovery operation. The family identified the responding agencies as the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, Caltrans, Laytonville Fire Department, CAL FIRE, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Rescue Team, Butte County Sheriff’s Swift Water Team, Marin County Search and Rescue, Mendocino County Search and Rescue, Southern Humboldt Rescue Team, Rescue Solutions, Angels Recovery Dive Team, Hopland Fire, Ukiah Valley Fire Authority, South Coast Fire, Little Lake Fire, Albion Fire, Potter Valley Fire, Sonoma County Fire, Sonoma Valley Fire, Santa Rosa Fire, Ridgewood Ranch Fire, Med Star Ambulance, Adventist Health, Bravo, Anker Lucier, All In One Towing, OES, and numerous additional volunteers and fire agencies who assisted or provided coverage during the operation.
The family described Gary and Yvonne as longtime members of the Round Valley community and expressed gratitude for the regional response that ultimately brought them home.
Earlier:
- Authorities Respond to Possible Submerged Vehicle off Highway 162; Occupancy Unknown
- 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
- After Four Days, River Gives Up Vehicle of Covelo Couple
- [UPDATE 8:58 a.m.] Juan Heredia Assists in Ongoing Eel River Search for Missing Covelo Woman
- [Update] Day Five on the Eel River: Sheriff Calls Recovery a ‘Little Win’ in a ‘Terrible Situation’
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I saw the other day a article on Malaysia using photo luminescent paint on their roads. Not that it would help in snowy conditions. But it was a hit with locals who said it worked really well in fog and rain. The problem for Malaysia was cost. I think a rich nation like America could afford the extra cost.
I would much rather the pedestrians that stumble around on the road in the dark wear luminescent clothing.
AMEN!
Authorities can investigate all they want, but the first part of their report says “the vehicle left the roadway”, stop right there!
The vehicle left the roadway because there is no safety guard rail. To me, it sounds like a sub standard state highway.
Residents of the area deserve better and should demand it!
There are guardrails at most of the bends, many of them new or recently replaced along with the repaving and culvert work. Are you saying you think installing guardrails the entire length of 162 (and every other state highway) is a reasonable endeavor?
I don’t know what the state highway engineering standards are but to be fair it’s a pretty straight section of the road. On the other hand the proximity to the river bank is very close to the edge of the road at MM 10.9 so, unlikely as an accident may have been, the consequences are clearly high.
If you want to read about CalTrans standards are for guardrails I found this docmument, see section 3.3
https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/safety-programs/documents/safety-devices/20250404-tssm-a11y.pdf
Apologies for replying to my own comment, but I wanted to share the write-up below about road design, the “Critical Recovery Zone” and embankment drop-offs. Much of it lends weight to your point.
https://www.robinsonfirm.com/publications/roadside-hazards/
It will be interesting to see what the investigation concludes, and if any subsequent litigation ensues…
Hundreds of miles of multi lane southern California highways have guardrails for no apparent reason..
Thankful they’ve been recovered. You never know what could cause a vehicle to leave the roadway. It could be anything. Glad they’re investigating.
Thankful they’ve been recovered. Thanks to everyone who helped find them. They are investigating, you just don’t know what could have caused them to leave the roadway.