Woman, 88, Trapped in Car Since Friday Night Off Calistoga Road, Rescued

On Monday morning, the driver of a tractor-trailer westbound on Porter Creek Rd. in the mountains between Santa Rosa and Calistoga noticed something about 40 feet down the embankment, just west of Calistoga Rd.

Jesus Gutierrez, 48, of Oakley, got out of his truck and walked to the edge to confirm there was a vehicle on its roof, which turned out to be a 2010 Toyota Corolla with the 88-year-old driver trapped inside.

Gutierrez flagged down a passing Sonoma County Sheriff's deputy, who climbed down the embankment and found Jean Wright, 88, of St. Helena. She had apparently been coming home from visting a friend in Petaluma, having left there at about 8:00 p.m. on Friday evening, over 60 hours before her discovery.

For unknown reasons, as Wright drove her 2010 Toyota Corolla eastbound on Porter Creek Rd, the vehicle ran off of the road and struck a utility pole. The vehicle then rolled down the embankment approximately 40 feet, coming to rest on its roof. Due to the location, the vehicle was unable to be seen by passing passenger vehicles.

It's possible Wright had become disoriented on the mountain road and turned left on Porter Creek, instead of continuing straight toward Petrified Forest Rd. and the Napa Valley. She may have made a U-turn to head back in the right direction when she lost control and ran off the road.

CHP and rescue personnel responded and Wright was extricated and transported to Santa Rosa Memorial hospital for multiple bone fractures and dehydration, according to Jonathan Sloat of the California Highway Patrol.