Missing Fallbrook woman found trapped in vehicle

FALLBROOK – A 72-year-old Fallbrook woman who was reported missing by family the afternoon of Sunday, July 29, was found trapped in her vehicle in the early morning hours of Monday, July 30.

Cheryl Blandon was discovered in her white Honda Fit, which had drifted off the road and down an embankment on Rice Canyon Road off state Route 76. Blandon was found by her daughter, Sheri Linner, at approximately 3 a.m. July 30.

"Her daughter actually ended up locating her by retracing steps where she thought she might have been," said California Highway Patrol officer Mark Latulippe.

According to Latulippe, Linner noticed a spot where a fence was down, looked further and found her mother.

"She gave us a call and CHP was the first on the scene," said Latulippe. "We rendered some aid to her and she was in good condition generally."

Latulippe said Blandon told responding officers that she fell asleep and drifted off the road. She estimated the accident occurred at 3 p.m., meaning she was in the car for 12 hours.

"She was trapped inside the car but had food and water," said Latulippe. "It (the Honda) was 10 to 15 feet from the roadway – not too far off the road but far enough to hide that vehicle from road level."

Latulippe reported Blandon was taken to a hospital for evaluation.

"She had a general complaint of pain to the chest and was transported to Palomar Medical Center," said Latulippe. "The last I heard she was in good condition."

Latulippe praised Linner for her investigative work.

"It's nice to have a good ending to one of these stories," said Latulippe. "So many times, no one knows where you went, or no one knew that something happened until it's too late. This one we have a good ending."