Man swept away in Cajon Pass flash flood in San Bernardino found dead

The search for a man who was swept away in the Cajon Pass in San Bernardino concluded Wednesday morning as he was found dead about a half mile downstream from where his vehicle was trapped in a flash flood the night before. 

The incident happened around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday at Keenbrook Road and Cajon Boulevard, just off the 15 Freeway in San Bernardino. 

A witness said the pickup truck attempted to cross a flash-flooded road when it got stuck. When San Bernardino County Fire arrived, they found a man standing on top of the roof of his truck, surrounded by rushing water.  

As rescuers were attempting to reach the man, the truck shifted, and the man was swept away. Two other people inside the vehicle were able to reach safety on their own. 

"While the swift water team was arriving on scene, is when that vehicle shifted, and that victim fell into the water," Capt. Eric Sherwin, San Bernardino County Fire Department, said. 

"We had those downstream safeties in place; they deployed the ropes, but unfortunately, the victim was unable to grab either of those two downstream safety ropes."  

Crews searched for the man for about three hours, but had to suspend the search. Attempts to fly drones and helicopters were not successful due to rain, wind, and no light.

Early Wednesday morning, crews were waiting for cloud coverage to clear so the aerial search for the man could continue, and he was found downstream. 

Authorities identified the man as 55-year-old Edward Jerome Jozwiak Jr. Family members told CBS LA that he was very familiar with the area, and was heading to an animal sanctuary in the area after leaving the store.