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Released by: Lt. Mike Biondi, Special Services Coordinator
Occurred: 01/20/2021 at 8:00 p.m.
Location: Cascade Lakes Hwy near FS road 40
Rescued: Walters, Timothy - Jefferson, Or, 20 year old male
Vehicle: Black 2001 Chevy Silverado pickup
NARRATIVE:
On 01/20/21 at about 8:00 PM, Deschutes County Dispatch received a call from Ken Walters stating that his son, Timothy Walters, was stuck in the snow. Ken said Timothy believed he was in the Sisters area. During the phone call, Timothy's phone battery died. When Ken was unable to re-contact Timothy he called dispatch.
A phone ping was initiated and gave a general location of 9.8 miles southwest of Mt. Bachelor but no specific coordinates. A Deschutes County Search and Rescue Coordinator was contacted for assistance.
Five Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers and one Special Services Deputy responded to assist. Two SAR members were sent to the area of Cascade Lakes Hwy via FS road 40. The volunteers travelled the majority of the way to the stuck subjects with a 4x4 pickup. They then deployed the tracked DCSO SAR ARGO ATV and located Timothy at 02:35 a.m. He was uninjured and in good spirits. SAR members learned Timothy was attempting to hike in the Three Sisters wilderness.
Timothy was provided a courtesy ride back to Bend where he was reunited with his family. All DCSO resources returned to quarters by 05:00 a.m.
The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office would like to remind those travelling during the winter to anticipate changes in the weather and varying snowpack conditions. It is also recommended if you’re travelling forest service roads this time of year they are generally not maintained so planning your route is suggested. Also, be sure to bring appropriate vehicles and equipment: including a shovel, lighting, clothing, blankets, food, water, navigation and communication devices to include a cell phone charger.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with six K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves over 200,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 259 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 191 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.
End of release