- Family last seen departing Grand Canyon for Las Vegas on January 25
- White BMW rental car pinged near I-40 multi-vehicle crash zone
- 3-state search operation activated across Arizona, Nevada, and California
Authorities across the Southwest are coordinating a massive search effort for Jiyeon Lee and two relatives, whose disappearance coincides with one of Arizona's most severe winter storms in recent years. The family's rental vehicle transmitted its final GPS signal near Flagstaff's hazardous I-40 corridor, where emergency crews responded to 14 weather-related collisions that afternoon. Meteorologists recorded 11 inches of snowfall along their planned route - 43% higher than seasonal averages for the region.
New research from the National Travel Safety Institute reveals winter road incidents in mountain states increased 28% since 2020, with rental vehicles involved in 37% of cases. A 2022 Colorado case study demonstrated how real-time GPS tracking helped locate stranded tourists within 72 hours during similar blizzard conditions. Rental car companies have since implemented mandatory winter preparedness briefings in 19 states, though Arizona's regulations remain under review.
Search teams are employing thermal drones to scan remote areas where the vehicle might have veered off-road. Coconino County Sheriff's Department confirms investigators are analyzing crash scene debris matching BMW components. The combination of whiteout conditions and unfamiliar rental vehicles creates perfect storm scenarios,stated Search & Rescue Coordinator Derek Mills. We're urging anyone who traveled I-40 westbound that afternoon to review dashcam footage.
Emergency response protocols have shifted dramatically since three hikers perished in 2021's Grand Canyon snowstorm tragedy. New technologies being deployed include:
- Automated license plate recognition at gas stations
- Cell tower signal pattern analysis
- Social media geotag monitoring
As night temperatures dip below 14°F (-10°C), survival experts emphasize the critical 48-hour window for locating missing persons in winter environments. The family's last known purchase - hot coffee at a Cameron, AZ trading post - provides both timeline confirmation and concerning evidence of limited cold-weather supplies.
