Three motorists rescued from deep snow west of Bend

Three Bend men whose two vehicles became stuck in deep snow on a closed Forest Service road west of Bend were rescued Sunday, along with their two dogs, prompting a reminder from authorities that traveling on still-closed forest roads can be dangerous and lead to citations and/or costly towing bills.

Sheriff’s deputies were notified around 1:25 a.m. of the two vehicles stuck in the snow on closed Forest Service Road 370 west of bend, said Deputy Russell Stanage, assistant search and rescue coordinator.

It was reported that two drivers, Timothy Price, 30, and Ronn Wilson, 28, and passenger Jason Johnson, 38, were with two dogs when their vehicles became buried in several feet of snow, seven miles from Forest Service Road 4601, Stanage said.

The men reported having fuel to stay warm and cellphone coverage, but requested a ride out due to the distance they’d need to walk in the snow, the deputy said. They also said they were comfortable with waiting for a ride until after daylight, he said.

Around 6:30 a.m., a SAR deputy and a reserve deputy responded to the area to help the men. They reached them around 8:45 a.m. after traveling seven miles in the snow down Forest Road 370 on tracked quads.

The men and animals were given transportation to the end of Skyliners Road, where they were picked up by a family member around 10:15 a.m.

Stanage said in a news release, “The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public that traveling on Forest Service roads that are closed or not maintained in the Central Oregon area, especially in the winter months, can be unpredictable and hazardous.”

“Such travels on these roads may result in citations and/or expensive tow bills when vehicles become stuck,” he added.

A follow-up investigation will be handled by the Forest Service, Stanage said.