A search operation for a presumed missing truck driver at an Ohio state park was called off Tuesday evening after dash cam footage revealed the driver had simply left in another vehicle.
Natural Resources Officers with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources launched the search early Tuesday morning at Barkcamp State Park in Belmont County after a semi truck was found parked at a boat launch area.
Officials initially feared the driver might have gone missing while enjoying recreational activities at the park. The unattended truck’s presence triggered several hours of searching throughout the day on May 13th.
The mystery was solved around 5:30 p.m. when the trucking company reviewed the vehicle’s dash cam footage. The video clearly showed the driver parking the rig and then departing in a second vehicle shortly afterward.
“After reviewing the dash cam, we were able to confirm the driver wasn’t missing at all,” a park official told investigators. The driver has since been contacted and located safely.
Local news outlet WTRF reported that authorities called off all search efforts immediately after viewing the footage.
The false alarm highlights the increasing value of dash cameras in the trucking industry. What could have escalated into a more extensive search operation was quickly resolved through readily available technology.
Park officials haven’t indicated whether the truck was parked legally at the boat launch or if the driver might face any citations for the placement of the vehicle.