No sign of motorcycle rider who went missing Sunday near Kooskia
A Missoula, Mont., man who went missing Sunday while riding his motorcycle in the Kooskia area remained unaccounted for Thursday, the Idaho County Sheriff’s Office announced on Facebook.
Zachary DeMoss, 24, got separated from his fellow riders while they traveled Sunday afternoon on U.S. Highway 12. He hasn’t been seen since.
Idaho County deputies started looking for DeMoss on Monday, and were helped by the Idaho County Sheriff’s Posse and DeMoss’ family and friends, according to the sheriff’s office.
The search expanded Tuesday and Wednesday, with the Idaho State Police, Idaho County Sheriff’s Office drone team, Idaho Fish and Game, Missoula Life Flight, family, friends and co-workers of DeMoss helping to scour the U.S. Highway 12 river corridor from milepost 75 through milepost 174 at Lolo Pass.
The majority of the 99-mile search was done with multiple teams searching on foot on both sides of the highway, as well as a drone and Life Flight helicopter being used.
Idaho County Sheriff’s Office dispatchers worked with a cellphone company to ping DeMoss’ cellphone, and were told it was not hitting a cell tower. ITD weather cameras were checked, but no usable information was obtained.
In the coming days, the sheriff’s office will be downsizing its search but will continue to have deputies monitor specific areas. Even though no debris has surfaced on the Lochsa or Clearwater rivers, some of the deeper spots along the river will have diving activity, according to the Facebook update.
DeMoss was riding a black Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 with “ape hanger” handlebars and a large spike on the end of each handlegrip. His motorcycle had black Harley saddle bags and camping gear loaded on the back. The back left turn signal was slightly hanging off but still worked. The motorcycle had Montana license plate with the word “HOGG.”
DeMoss is described as Caucasian, 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds. He was last seen wearing a bright white helmet with black designs on it and a bluish-grey long-sleeve under shirt with a leather vest on top of it.
