January 1, 2024 - Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, a stranded motorist was located in a remote area of Ventura County’s backcountry and transported to safety.

Deputies working at the Lockwood Valley Sheriff’s Station patrol an approximately 610 square mile area.  Much of this area is only accessible by off-road vehicles on forest service roads or trails.  These remote areas typically do not have cell service and are not frequently traveled.  Each winter, the United States Forest Service (USFS) closes these service roads and trails with winter gates to prevent motorists from becoming stuck due to the winter storms.

On Tuesday, December 26, 2023, the winter gates were closed by the USFS for the winter season.  Early in the evening, the Lockwood Valley Station received a call of a motorist locked behind the winter gate in the Grade Valley area.  A Lockwood Valley Deputy and a Lockwood Valley Dispatcher responded to let the motorist out of the closed area.  The motorist mentioned there were more vehicles behind the gate.  The deputy and dispatcher searched the area for the other vehicles.  About 10 miles away from the highway, the dispatcher noticed a faint light in the distance and pointed it out to the deputy.  They drove toward the source and discovered it was a flashlight being held by a 65-year-old male subject.  The subject looked malnourished and wearing wet clothing.  The subject stated he drove his vehicle around a locked gate when his vehicle became stuck four days earlier and he was unable to get out for help.  The deputy and dispatcher provided aid and transported him out of the area to a safe location.  Were it not for the attention of the dispatcher in spotting the light, the subject may not have survived much longer with no food, no water, and the forecast of below freezing temperatures.  

On Thursday, December 28, 2023, Lockwood Valley Deputies escorted the subject back to his vehicle and assisted with getting the vehicle back to the highway.

The Lockwood Valley Deputies would like to remind the public that the closed/locked gates are in place for safety precautions and going around them could put lives in danger.  Additionally, when traveling in remote areas, bring GPS devices that family members can use to track your location and provide them with your travel plans so they can contact law enforcement if you are overdue.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime.  The caller may remain anonymous.  The call is not recorded.  Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Source & photo: Ventura County Sheriff's Office