BOX ELDER COUNTY — A missing man was found dead Sunday afternoon after his vehicle was located partially submerged in a Box Elder County canal, leading authorities to cancel a regional Silver Alert, according to law enforcement officials.
Search and rescue personnel located a green Toyota Sienna matching the description of the vehicle driven by Lewis “Lou” Balzomo at approximately 1:40 p.m. on Sept. 20. The vehicle was discovered in a canal situated east of Fielding.
Emergency responders from the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office, the Box Elder Search and Rescue Team, and the Box Elder SCUBA Team were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival and inspection of the submerged minivan, searchers found Balzomo deceased inside.
Preliminary investigations into the crash indicate that Balzomo failed to navigate a right-hand turn in the roadway. His vehicle continued forward, driving through an adjacent field before descending a steep 70-foot embankment and coming to rest inside the canal.
The discovery brought a tragic conclusion to the search effort, prompting the official cancellation of the Silver Alert previously issued to assist in locating Balzomo.
Box Elder County Chief Deputy Sheriff Cade Palmer extended heartfelt condolences on behalf of the sheriff’s office to Balzomo’s family, friends, and loved ones during what he described as a deeply tragic time.