For Immediate Release

Sergeant Anthony Prencipe

On May 1, 2018, at around 11:15 PM, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office was called by SMUD, about a distress call from one of their private security officers near the SMUD powerhouse on Peavine Ridge Road.  The contact from the security officer stated they were in their vehicle in the river at an unspecified location.

El Dorado County Sheriff Deputies, Search and Rescue and a CHP Helicopter responded to the area and conducted a search for the employee and vehicle.  Due to the large area and inclement weather, the vehicle, which had been submerged in water, was found at 7:41 AM.  The El Dorado County Dive Team responded and located the employee, who was deceased.

The decedent was identified as Brent Jared Cluff, a 33 year old out of Sacramento and next of kin has been notified.  Brent was working for a private security company out of Sacramento and was not an employee of SMUD.  The California Highway Patrol will be investigating the accident and cause of death is pending the coroner’s investigation.