On October 18, 2015, at approximately 5 p.m., Yavpai County Sheriff’s office was notified that 44-year-old Ryuji “Michael” Numata from Avondale was missing. Numata had been driving off-road in the ATV with a group of similar vehicles in a remote area east of I17 off of Dugas Road, Yavapai County. At one point, he drove ahead of the group until and out of sight. He could not be found and more than 4 hours passed before YCSO was contacted. Forest Patrol deputies called out the Yavapai County Search and Rescue Team’s (YCSRT) 4×4 and Quad units who deployed around 7:30 p.m. to search for Numata. A DPS Ranger Helicopter was also requested for an air search, but unable to fly due to weather conditions.
The ground crews were not able to locate Numata during their search that night. Cell phone contact was unsuccessful and attempts to track his phone did not provide worthwhile information. Just after 8AM the next day, October 19, DPS Ranger was able to conduct an air search after the weather had cleared. Just before 10 AM, the Ranger crew located an apparent ATV crash on the side of steep ravine in very heavy brush. The crew was able to land in the area and hike to the scene where they discovered Numata’s body pinned under his ATV.
Members of the YCSRT Backcountry and 4×4 Units assisted the DPS Ranger Crew who airlifted the body from the crash site to a landing zone for ground transportation to the Medical Examiner’s office.
Initial reports indicate Numata was wearing his lap belt but not the full upper body harness available for ATV users. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.