The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has launched a search for Vincent Upton, a man reportedly swept away by floodwaters while trying to cross a wash near Goodyear early Sunday morning. MCSO officials were called to the scene near 214th Avenue and Narramore Road around 3:30 a.m. after receiving a report of the incident. According to KTAR News, the truck belonging to Upton has been found, but there has yet to be any sign of Upton himself.
In an effort to locate the missing man, authorities have been extensively combing the area. A family friend, Benjamin Santana, conveyed the distress of Upton's loved ones in an interview obtained by ABC15, stating, "His family's here. It's rough on everybody. Right now, our concern is finding him. It's pretty surreal." Additionally, evidence such as the truck's kicked-out windshield hints that Upton did manage to escape the vehicle before going missing.
Friends and relatives have offered insights into the character of the missing man. "He is the life of the party, always making everyone laugh and joking. He is a force to be reckoned with, that's for sure," Jamie Williams described Upton in an interview with ABC15. Upton was last seen wearing a white shirt and blue jeans, and hopes are that he may be found injured but alive, perhaps seeking refuge in a nearby location.
The incident has raised concerns about local infrastructure. Jimmy Williams spoke to ABC15, criticizing the single access point in the area and emphasizing the need for improved road development. "In this area, there is only one way in and one way out of here, so people try to cross [Waterman Wash] to get home," he said. "When it rains and floods and your home is on this side or that side, you're stuck, can't get out, can't get to work, nothing, so obviously there needs to be some development here in the roads." The MCSO has reaffirmed their commitment to continuing the search on Monday morning.
Anyone with information about Vincent Upton's whereabouts is asked to contact MCSO to assist in the search.
