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Five stranded on closed mountain pass after Uber driver insisted on following incorrect GPS
Denver Gazette ^ | February 11, 2026 | Spenser McKee

Posted on 02/12/2026 4:00:25 PM PST by xxqqzz

A recent Uber trip in Summit County will likely become something four unfortunate passengers will laugh about years down the road. That said, it must have been very frustrating at the time it all went down.

According to a report from the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, four riders and their Uber driver became stranded on the snowmobile-only Georgia Pass after the driver’s GPS unit reportedly told him to take the route during a trip to Bailey. Prior to getting stranded, the passengers reportedly told the driver that his GPS was wrong multiple times, but he continued, insistent on following the navigation unit’s instructions.

Prior to getting stuck on the snowy road, the driver passed three large signs that noted the route was closed to wheeled vehicles. That didn’t stop the driver though, who eventually slid off the groomed portion of the road and into a ditch while approaching Middle Fork.

No one was injured, but the vehicle was immobilized until a deputy with a tow rope arrived at the scene. The driver was ultimately issued a citation for his actions – but the problems with vehicles on Georgia Pass in recent days didn’t stop there.

On the same recent evening, a juvenile snuck out of his home for a late-night drive to “clear his head.” He, too, made the unfortunate decision of attempting to travel the snowmobile-only Georgia Pass, which ends up reaching an elevation of about 11,598 feet.

After driving several miles up the road, his vehicle also became stuck. Amid a lack of cell phone service, he opted to embark on an hour-long walk to Tiger Road, eventually getting enough signal to call his mother for help.

(Excerpt) Read more at denvergazette.com ...


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: georgiapsss; google; googlemap; googlemaps; gps; snow; summitcounty; uber
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1 posted on 02/12/2026 4:00:25 PM PST by xxqqzz
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To: xxqqzz

Is this about the uber driver who could read English? Or the kid? Or the kid’s story put in to detract from the non English speaking issue. Or the non English speaking uber driver story put in to cover up from the actual dangers of kids taking dope?

Lotta coverup in there both ways


2 posted on 02/12/2026 4:09:28 PM PST by stanne
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To: xxqqzz

In historic times, the passengers would eat the Uber driver to survive.


3 posted on 02/12/2026 4:09:37 PM PST by Scrambler Bob (Running Rampant, and not endorsing nonsense; My pronoun is EXIT. And I am generally full of /S)
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To: xxqqzz

This sort of thing kinda regularly happened on a high mountain road that is more directly from Grants Pass, OR to the coast. Early GPS would regularly take people there who would become stranded.

In one horrific incident, an Asian family found themselves stuck way up there. If I recall correctly, they all died.

See here:

https://www.oregonlive.com/oregonianextra/2007/11/kimfamily.html


4 posted on 02/12/2026 4:21:26 PM PST by Uncle Miltie (No American Blood for censorious socialist islamophiles!)
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To: Uncle Miltie

Nowadays, there is a HUGE sign at the turnoff to that road to make sure people know not to try that in winter.


5 posted on 02/12/2026 4:22:09 PM PST by Uncle Miltie (No American Blood for censorious socialist islamophiles!)
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To: Uncle Miltie

Yet another reason why English reading proficiency should be required before allowing anyone to drive in America.

6 posted on 02/12/2026 4:24:50 PM PST by Uncle Miltie (No American Blood for censorious socialist islamophiles!)
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To: Uncle Miltie

Only Dad died. Grok:

three members of the family survived the ordeal.

James Kim, the father, tragically died of hypothermia on or around December 4, 2006 (his body was discovered two days later), after leaving the stranded car to hike out for help, covering over 16 miles in harsh winter conditions.

His wife, Kati Kim, and their two young daughters—Penelope (then 4 years old) and Sabine (then 7 months old)—were rescued alive on December 4, 2006, after nine days stranded in the snow. They suffered from frostbite, near-starvation, and exposure but recovered. Kati sustained the children in part by breastfeeding them and rationing limited supplies while they waited in the car.


7 posted on 02/12/2026 4:31:16 PM PST by Uncle Miltie (No American Blood for censorious socialist islamophiles!)
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To: Scrambler Bob

Cooked right do Uber drivers taste like chicken. Asking for a friend on Donor Pass?


8 posted on 02/12/2026 4:39:32 PM PST by Equine1952 (MM1SS SASOB)
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To: xxqqzz

Self-reliance is going the way of the horse and buggy.

An Uber drives the young people everywhere, nowadays.


9 posted on 02/12/2026 4:58:27 PM PST by simpson96
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To: xxqqzz

Like the college band marching up to the brick wall in the parade in Animal House. Still pacing in step.


10 posted on 02/12/2026 5:01:47 PM PST by frank ballenger (There's a battle outside and it's raging. It'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls. )
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To: stanne

Where does it say the driver wasn’t an English speaker?


11 posted on 02/12/2026 5:07:30 PM PST by piasa (Attitude adjustments offered here free of charge)
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To: Equine1952

“Hmmm - Uber tastes a lot like Lyft.”


12 posted on 02/12/2026 5:15:06 PM PST by 21twelve (Ever Vigilant - Never Fearful)
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To: piasa

‘Where does it say the driver wasn’t an English speaker?’

“Prior to getting stuck on the snowy road, the driver passed three large signs that noted the route was closed to wheeled vehicles. That didn’t stop the driver”


13 posted on 02/12/2026 5:18:39 PM PST by stanne
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To: Uncle Miltie

Oh yes, I remember that. IIRC, his techie friends really helped find them. A shame the man died, but his wife was one tough cookie.


14 posted on 02/12/2026 5:19:07 PM PST by jocon307 (DEMOCRATS DELENDA EST)
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To: MileHi; dynachrome; backspace; Balata; bboop; Ben Dover; Benito Cereno; BigEdLB; bluejean; ...

Colorado Ping ( Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the list.)


15 posted on 02/12/2026 5:23:36 PM PST by george76 (Ward Churchill : Fake Indian, Fake Scholarship, and Fake Art)
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To: stanne

We had a guy get stuck by our house in 18 inches of snow and ice. He couldn’t understand how that happened. His Audi was all wheel drive.


16 posted on 02/12/2026 5:25:20 PM PST by 21twelve (Ever Vigilant - Never Fearful)
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To: frank ballenger

Donner Party 2.0.


17 posted on 02/12/2026 5:25:51 PM PST by FirstFlaBn (ITHIN A FEW DAIS)
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To: Equine1952

Donner pass.

They just ate the ones that had died already.


18 posted on 02/12/2026 5:32:56 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: jocon307; Uncle Miltie

A local couple...

https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/miracle-on-a-mountain-indianapolis-couple-ronnie-beverly-barker-exclusive-interview-nevada/531-73305ac9-823b-4a7e-8d00-aeb18f23448d


19 posted on 02/12/2026 5:38:22 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: 21twelve

I grew up in and around snow. There were all kinds of tricks of the trade and the basic knowledge of the properties of snow against whatever vehicle from sneakers to ice skates to a 7 MPG 75 Lincoln Continental and putting a cinder block into the front trunk of your 68 VW Bug were well known

You could spin around in a cul de sac with Jimmy C at the stick or you could spin around on 25A in an LTD but you learn how not to get stuck in snow pretty early on

If you live in Denver and you drive an uber and you blow past signs that say snow mobiles only, heading toward a mountain with passengers yelling at you then you did not grow up in Denver, in snow, nor reading English.

That’s what I’m reading. Between the lines.


20 posted on 02/12/2026 5:38:22 PM PST by stanne
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