Northern California deputies ‘actively searching’ for missing man after finding empty vehicle

(FOX40.COM) — A Northern California sheriff’s office is searching for a man who was reported missing on Sunday morning after attending an event and not returning home .

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office said family members of Julio Gutierrez reported him missing around 2:40 a.m. “Deputies started an investigation and determined Gutierrez did not return home after attending an event in Biggs,” the agency said.

During their investigation, the sheriff’s office found evidence of a crash on Larkin Road, near the Afterbay Release Station. “Deputies were concerned the vehicle involved in the crash left the roadway and was possibly submerged in the water,” the sheriff’s office said.

The Butte County Search and Rescue team arrived at the scene and assisted deputies in recovering the vehicle. Deputies soon determined the vehicle belonged to Gutierrez, although he was not inside the vehicle.

“Deputies and search and rescue personnel are actively searching for Gutierrez,” the sheriff’s office said.

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