Van Buren County Sheriff News Release - Traffic crash and locating the lost driver

Nature of Incident:

Traffic crash and locating the lost driver

Incident Number:

25000095

Date and Time:

01/03/2025 @ 2030

Narrative:

Sheriff Daniel E Abbott reports that on 01/03/2025 Deputies were dispatched to the 74 thousand block of 22^nd St in Porter township for a report of a traffic crash. When they arrived they found a vehicle had been crashed into a tree and was unoccupied. The vehicle was cold and snow was collecting on it. During the investigation a resident nearby called and reported a male subject had been at their residence advising that he had car trouble and was cold. The subject advised that he was trying to get to a friends house and left walking before Deputies arrived. Deputies checked the area and found footprints in the snow leading off the roadway and began following them. They went through a field, a wooded area and then into the edge of a swamp. Deputies eventually located the subject, a 64 year old Lawton man, who was unresponsive and lying on the ground under some brush. Upon making physical contact with him they were able to get him to respond and become more coherent. His clothing was wet and starting to freeze and he advised that he could not feel his legs. The man told Deputies that he had crashed at least 2 hrs prior and became lost while walking. He told them that he eventually became exhausted and laid down where they found him. He was very disoriented and showing obvious signs of hypothermia. Deputies assisted the subject back to the road where he was turned over to EMS for treatment. The weather at the time was around 20 degrees with occasional heavy snow and high winds. If the Deputies had not located the footprints and followed them it is likely that the subject would have succumbed to hypothermia in the edge of the swamp.

The Sheriff would like to remind the public to make sure you have basic emergency supplies in your vehicle in the event that you are involved in a motor vehicle crash or have car trouble in the winter. These items should include things like, a blanket or extra coat, winter boots, water, food or snacks and a flashlight.