For Immediate Release
| PR #: | 1600010 |
| Date Issued: | Feb 12, 2016 - 4:40pm |
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Sheriff Allen commends Patrol Lieutenant and Sergeant for rescuing stranded elderly motorist outside of Gerlach |
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| CONTACT: | Bob Harmon Washoe County Sheriff's Office Office 775-785-6235 Cell 775-722-5517 |
Washoe County Sheriff Chuck Allen commended Patrol Lieutenant Phil Condon and Sergeant Dennis Hippert today for rescuing a 69-year-old motorist who was stranded for one week on a gravel highway 50 miles north of Gerlach.
Philip Besanson of Eugene, Oregon said he was traveling from Arizona back to Eugene when he became lost in the desert outside of Gerlach. Last Friday, February 5, Besanson was traveling northbound from Gerlach on SR 34 when his pick-up truck broke down on the partially snow-covered road.
Besanson stayed with his vehicle, rationing a limited supply of canned food and using melted snow for water. Besanson said he was preparing for the inevitable when the Sheriff's vehicle arrived.
Lt. Condon and Sgt. Hippert were conducting an inspection of this remote area of highway, checking road conditions and making sure that no one was stuck, when they came upon Besanson's vehicle shortly before 10:00 a.m. this morning.
Lt. Condon and Sgt. Hippert transported Besanson to a hospital in Cedarville, California where he is currently recovering.
"Mr. Besanson told us that he believes his life was saved by Lieutenant Condon and Sergeant Hippert today and I agree with him," Sheriff Allen said. "Because of the bad road and weather conditions along SR 34 this time of year, it may have been several more weeks before anyone else travelled up that particular stretch of highway and located this gentleman."
According to the rescuers, Besanson did the right thing by staying with this vehicle rather than trying to walk back to Gerlach. The vehicle provided shelter and was much easier for them to locate.
Sheriff Allen reminds anyone who is planning to travel alone to let someone know where you plan to go and when you expect to be home.
"Giving your itinerary to a family member, friend, or trusted neighbor provides you with an extra safety net if something should go wrong," the Sheriff said. "You'll have the assurance that someone is watching for you who can alert the proper authorities if you don't arrive on schedule."
Photo 1: Sgt. Dennis Hippert and Philip Besanson today at the hospital in Cedarville, CA
Photo 2: Lieutenant Phil Condon
Photo 3: Sergeant Dennis Hippert
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.