April 8, 2017 - The CHP Sonora office and Mariposa County Sheriff's office reports on Friday, April 7th, at approximately 11:00 a.m., Ricardo Gonzalez, 28,  was driving a 2004 Toyota Camry southbound on State Route 49 south of Coulterville, approximately1 mile south of Schilling Road during a heavy downpour.

An alert driver passing by the area saw tire tracks leading over the bank, once she exited her car she was able to hear someone calling for help.

Due to the unsafe speed for the wet weather conditions, Mr. Gonzalez ran off of the west road edge and down a very steep embankment. The Camry rolled several times until coming to rest on the drivers side, 800 feet down, at the bottom of the hillside.

Ricardo Gonzalez and two out of the three passengers were able to get out of the vehicle and climb up to the road for help.

Jaime Vidalez, 33,  was left behind in the car with a possible broken leg. Emergency personnel trekked down to rescue Mr. Vidalez and found that he had self extricated and climbed approximately 30 feet up.

Mariposa County Search and Rescue assisted in bringing Jaime Vidalez up to the ambulance. Walter Menendez, 30,  and Jose A. Cortez, 27,  sustained moderate head injuries.

Mr. Gonzalez sustained minor injuries. All four were transported by ground ambulance to Modesto Memorial Hospital.

They are residents from Texas, Washington, and New Jersey staying in Sonora while they work clearing dead trees.

Mariposa Search and Rescue along with Mariposa County Sheriff Deputies, Cal Fire and Mariposa County Fire responded to the call.










Source: Sonora CHP and Mariposa County Sheriff Department

.