Day: August 1, 2024

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

The bodies of two men found in a submerged vehicle in the Glenn-Colusa Canal late Wednesday morning are likely those of two missing Yuba City men.

According to a news release issued Thursday morning by the Willows Area Office of the California Highway Patrol, at about 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 31, the CHP was notified by the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office that a deputy had discovered evidence of a vehicle submerged in the canal that runs along the west side of County Road 203 (Canal Road), south of County Road 9 (Wyo Road).

Emergency responders, including the CHP, the Hamilton City Fire Department, the Capay Fire Department, and the Glenn County Sheriff’s Dive Team, responded to the scene.

A 2004 Lexus was recovered from the murky water and was discovered to be occupied by two deceased persons.

The Lexus was found to be associated with a Silver Alert issued July 20 by the CHP on behalf of the Yuba City Police Department. The press release stated:

“The Yuba City Police Department is asking for the public to be on the lookout for two men who have been missing since Friday.

“James Adams, 89, and Ronny Adams, 57, both from Yuba City, are considered ‘at risk’ due to medical conditions that require ongoing treatment.

“They were driving a blue or silver-blue 2004 Lexus RX330, with a ‘disabled plate’ of 113GT.

“Their phones indicated they may have last been on Highway 45 between Princeton and Hamilton City, Glenn County.”

According to Thursday’s CHP news release, there was no evidence immediately available at the scene to determine the precise day or time this accident occurred.

However, there was evidence at the scene indicating that an unknown person was driving the Lexus north on County Road 203, south of Road 9, at a high rate of speed.

There were also indications that the vehicle left the east side of the roadway, followed by an overcorrection by the driver. The Lexus veered back to the west, crossing both lanes of Road 203.

After crossing Road 203, the vehicle continued in a northwesterly direction, striking a large tree before coming to rest in the canal.

The Glenn County Sheriff’s Office is handling the coroner’s investigation. Given the circumstances, positive identification of the two men will undoubtedly be anything but routine and will take some time.

The sheriff’s log for this incident said only, “Deputy Peterson was detailed to a death investigation. Deputy Peterson responded and initiated an investigation.”

The CHP’s news release concludes, “The circumstances of the crash are still under investigation.”

Eric Ford of Orland died on Sunday, July 21, 2024. He was born on November 14, 1966.

Smart and kind, he enjoyed working with his hands. He could fix just about anything, and was eager to teach someone else to as well.

He showed his love for people with acts of service. His smile was contagious.

He was an absolute goofball when in the mood and could make anyone laugh when they needed it.

He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Ford; children Sean Ford, Krista Martinez, Kaitlyn Ford, and Marshall Ford; mother June Naegeli; siblings Patricia Watson, Bruce Auerbach, Karen Auerbach Adams, Stephanie Barnard, Todd Wilkinson, and Mark Ford; several grandchildren; and numerous other family members.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 17, in the Meeting Hall of the Real Life Church in Orland, located at 1044 Trinity Street. Please RSVP by calling or texting Kathy Van Gieson at (530) 518-1806.