MONTEREY COUNTY, California – A man who attempted to cross a massive rockslide on Highway 1 in California is being charged for failing to obey a construction worker who told him the road was closed. According to KSBW, the man fell on Friday, August 9, forcing California State Parks rangers to start a search and rescue effort.
Cody Lynn Mortensen apparently rode to the closure, about two miles south of the slide, on a bike, arriving at the construction worker’s location around 9:25am. The worker promptly told the cyclist that the road was closed due to the Regent’s Slide and, according to California Highway Patrol, that he would die if he attempted to cross it and possibly be cited by CHP if caught. The cyclist attempted to cross anyways.
KRON reports that a rescue team spotted a backpack and a bloody arm about 100 feet below them when responding to the scene. Mortensen was flown in a helicopter to Natividad Medical Center where he was treated before being arrested and booked into the Monterey County Jail.
“He also endangered the lives of rescue personnel who had to traverse an active slide. Road closures are put in place for the safety of the public as well as for the crews working within the closure. It is against the law to drive, ride or walk past a road closed sign.” – CHP Officer Saul Perez
Around 300,000 cubic yards of dirt and rock will be removed from the Regent’s Slide over the next few months. The slide is expected to be cleared by late fall.