FWC says officers found missing woman in remote Collier County Forest

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — FWC reports its officers found a missing woman in a car in a remote area.

FWC reports that on Saturday, Sept. 27, while on patrol in Picayune Strand State Forest in Collier County, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Lt. Peter Knutson and Officer Michael Oldsen spotted a vehicle stuck in the mud off a paved road. The driver’s side door was open and the rear windshield wiper was running, officers report.

As they approached, the officers found out the vehicle was occupied. Officer Oldsen checked on the woman inside while Lt. Knutson had dispatch run the tag number. Dispatch confirmed the woman had been reported missing from Lee County the previous day, and a Silver Alert had been issued, according to FWC. They said she appeared disoriented and was unsure how she ended up in the area.

“Lt. Knutson and Officer Oldsen were just doing their job, but their training and quick actions likely saved this woman’s life,” said FWC Capt. Randy Yanez in a press release.

FWC reports the location was extremely remote, and she had no water or way to communicate.

The woman was sent to Picayune Headquarters, where EMS evaluated her before taking her to a local hospital for further care, FWC said.

The family told FWC she is now doing well.