MENDOCINO CO., 2/18/26 – A vehicle drove off state Highway 162 and into the Eel River on Tuesday morning east of Laytonville, prompting an ongoing search that was suspended due to dangerous river conditions, the California Highway Patrol said.
Officers responded around 11:30 a.m. to reports that a vehicle driving along the highway had gone down an embankment and into the river.
Emergency rescue teams searched the water while officers checked the surrounding area. However, unsafe weather, high water levels and poor visibility made conditions too hazardous for crews to continue searching the river, the CHP said.
Search and rescue personnel plan to resume operations when it is safe to do so.
The crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the CHP’s Garberville-area office at (707) 932-6100 or the Humboldt Communication Center at (707) 268-2000.