ALPENA — Boone County Sheriff Roy Martin has reported that a search for a missing person this week ended with the recovery of the man deceased. The sheriff stated that on Wednesday, Nov. 6, the Boone County Sheriff’s Department was notified of a missing person identified as 47 year-old Jacob Wayne Stephens of Alpena.
Information received by the sheriff indicated that Stephens was believed to have left his home on Tuesday afternoon, traveling back roads on a four wheeler towards Alpena.
Stephens' four wheeler was discovered overturned in a swollen creek near a low water slab located near the intersection of Terrapin Creek Rd. and Carroll County Rd. 917.
Carroll County and Boone County Search and Rescue was activated along with personnel with the Arkansas Game and Fish, Harrison Police, Boone and Carroll County Sheriff’s Department; all coordinated together in efforts to find Stephens.
Sheriff Martin regrets to report that Stephens was found deceased approximately 1,500 yards downstream by the Carroll County Search and Rescue team. At this time the death appears accidental however the body will be submitted to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for confirmation as to the cause of death.
The sheriff warns the public that people underestimate the force and power of water, "Many of these deaths occur in automobiles as they are swept downstream. Of these drownings, many are preventable, but too many people continue to drive around the barriers or ignore that a road is flooded."
A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away a small car, while 2 feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles. It is never safe to drive or walk into flood waters.
