RIGGINS — Idaho County deputies now believe John "Randy" French and his vehicle went into the Salmon River.
A resident reported to the Idaho County Sheriff's Office that he found the license plate to French's vehicle and evidence that the vehicle had gone into the Salmon River near milepost 201.5 on U.S. Highway 95, according to a press release from the sheriff's office.
Idaho County deputies confirmed the information and believe French and his vehicle are beneath the water near that location.
Water conditions are preventing an attempt to recover the victim and his vehicle. The news release said the dive team estimates it will be about 30 days before the water conditions are safe enough for divers to enter the water to locate the vehicle.
French's family has been notified.
On Monday, a medical item belonging to French was found and reported to the Idaho County Sheriff's Office. Family confirmed it was French's.
French left on a fishing trip to Riggins on June 29. He was expected to return July 1 but never did.
