PHOENIX \u2013 On Thursday, search crews found the body of a 74-year-old Arizona man whose car was swept away in flash flooding caused by rain two days earlier, authorities announced.<\/p>\n
David Otero was seen driving into a flooded Big Bug Creek crossing near Fremont Drive and Thunderbird Trail in Cordes Lakes around 3 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff\u2019s Office (YCSO).<\/p>\n
After two days of searches involving more than 80 volunteer search and rescue personnel, the sheriff\u2019s office said that Otero\u2019s body was found about 6 miles downstream, near the area where Big Bug Creek meets the Agua Fria River.<\/p>\n
What happened to car swept away by flash flooding?<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, deputies found the car with two men on or near the trunk area while it was being carried away.<\/p>\n
As the car was starting to turn over, a deputy stepped into the water and pulled one of the men to safety.<\/p>\n
The driver, Otero, remained with the vehicle as it was swept further downstream.<\/p>\n
The rescued man said he tried to help the driver after the car entered the floodwaters.<\/p>\n
The car was eventually found lodged against a tree about 2 miles from where it tried to cross the flooded creek.<\/p>\n
Cordes Lakes is located<\/a> off Interstate 17, about 66 miles north of downtown Phoenix.<\/p>\n Storms impacted a large portion of central and northern Arizona on Tuesday and Wednesday<\/a>.<\/p>\n The rain was heavy enough in Wickenburg to cause flash flooding that trapped two vehicles on Tuesday. The four occupants were all rescued<\/a> without injuries.<\/p>\n This is an updated version of a story originally published Nov. 19, 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n Follow @KTAR923<\/a><\/p>\n We want to hear from you.<\/p>\n Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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