MEDIA RELEASE
DOUGLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Justice Building • Roseburg, Oregon 97470 • (541) 440-4450
John Hanlin
SHERIFF
Contact Person: Dwes Hutson
Contact Number: 541-440-4464
Subject: Stranded Motorists Rescued
Date/Time of Incident: 11/23/2009 - 18:50
Incident Location: 7000 block Rock Creek Road, Idleyld Park, Oregon
Case Number: n/a
Rescued: Dryden, Jeremy Shawn / 25 yoa male / Michigan
Rescued: Vandeslice, Jessica Ayn / 20 yoa female / Michigan
On November 23rd, at about 1850 hours, the 911 center received a cellular 911 call from Jessica Vandeslice stating that she and her boyfriend, Jeremy Dryden, both from Missouri, were near the Rock Creek fish hatchery on a dirt road and their vehicle was stuck on a rock.
A Sheriff's Office BLM Contract Deputy and members of the Search and Rescue 4-wheel drive unit responded to the area in an attempt to locate the subjects. The subjects were able to provide a latitude and longitude reading from their portable GPS unit which enabled rescuers to pinpoint their location.
At about 2345 hours, rescuers located the subjects. They were on a BLM road that was almost impassable due to mud and ruts. Rescuers were able to assist the stranded motorists and escorted them back to I-5.
The subjects told deputies that they had been on I-5 near Sutherlin earlier in the evening and wanted to drive to Susan Creek Falls. They followed directions provided by their Tom Tom portable GPS unit. The Tom Tom gave directions that took them east of Sutherlin through the Mt. Scott/Rock Creek area. This route is primarily unpaved roads not suitable for passenger vehicle traffic and definitely not advisable for a person unfamiliar with travel on forest roads.
The Sheriff's Office would like to remind citizens that portable GPS units can be useful but people should use caution and common sense when navigating with them, especially in areas that they are unfamiliar with. This is not the first time a motorist has relied on GPS directions and ended up stuck in a remote area.