Chris Cook – Forks Forum photo
Benjamin Roldan Salinas reportedly ran from authorities following a highway stop in this area located just west of the U.S. Forest Service’s Klahowya Campground. Family members say he jumped into the nearby Sol Duc River. The bridge in the background crosses the Sol Duc River.
UPDATED FRIDAY MAY 20, 2011
Search parties organized by family members and friends continue their search this week for Benjamin Roldan Salinas, a West End man in his early 40s.
Salinas reportedly jumped into the cold waters of the Sol Duc River on Saturday afternoon, May 14 at about 3 p.m., according to a report from his family. His family reported him as being diabetic.
The family said Salinas ran from his Dodge Durango SUV after being pulled over on Highway 101 by U.S. Forest Service officer in an area where salal picking is done in the forest. The pull over occured near the Sol Duc bridge located near the U.S. Forest Service’s Klahowya Campground, located about 20 miles north and east of Forks.
The Forks Human Rights Group, a West End organization that observes and reports on enforcement of illiegal immigration laws in Forks and nearby areas, is issuing reports on the search effort, and asking for prayers and support for the groups of searchers attempting to find Salinas.
The Clallam County Sheriff’s Department and others have helped in the search this week. The search has combed the river from the Klahowya area all the ways to the LaPush area.
The Border Patrol issued the following report on Monday afternoon: "On May 14, 2011 at 1425 hours, the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) received a call from a U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Officer requesting translation assistance with two individuals that were encountered during a vehicle stop on Highway 101 near milepost 214. A Border Patrol Agent responded to the scene and subsequently took one subject into custody for an immigration violation. A second subject fled the scene on foot and was last seen entering the Sol Duc River. A search for the second subject was conducted; however, the individual was not located."
