Truck driver spent Christmas Eve stuck in a snowstorm after ignoring signs, following GPS, California troopers say

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) assisted a semi truck driver who became stuck on a closed road in rural Sierra County on Christmas Eve.

On December 24, 2025, a trooper with CHP’s Grass Valley Division responded to a closed road in a “very rural area of Sierra County to assist a Semi-Truck driver who chose to ignore the signs and follow his GPS” during a snowstorm.

CHP said that the driver was fortunate to have “warm clothes, food, water, plenty of fuel, and help on their way.”

Troopers offered the following advice for drivers to help them avoid getting stuck this winter:

“There are several important lessons to take from this incident, and CHP Grass Valley hopes the public will keep the following in mind:

-Do not try attempt to bypass chain control by using side roads

-Do not ignore ‘Road Closed’ signs

-If your GPS appears to be routing you incorrectly, trust your instincts, because it most likely is!

Always remain on main, maintained roadways and if you are not properly prepared for winter conditions, postpone your travel. This was not the only vehicle that became stuck in the snow near this location.“