Advertisement Rafting Gone Wild organizer jumps into American River to avoid arrest Park rangers searching river for organizer, who floated away Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A man who organized the Rafting Gone Wild event Saturday evaded park rangers by jumping into the American River and floating away.Rangers were trying to cite Sammy Diaz for an not having a permit for the event when he ran from them and jumped from the American River Bridge. He floated down the river as people cheered from shore.Rangers are still looking for Diaz and said he will face multiple misdemeanor charges.“He just ran and leaped over the side of the bridge. Without any thought of what could be below him. For his own safety, or for the safety of other people out there having a good time,” one kayaker said.The morning foot pursuit was the beginning of Sacramento County park rangers imposing a no-alcohol ban as thousands of people rafted down the American River for the yearly event.“There’s families that come out here in the summer time and they don’t want to deal with drunk, intoxicated people floating down the river naked and that type of stuff,” Chief Ranger Mike Doane said. “My goal is (that) if we can reduce the amount of alcohol that’s actually on the river, it’s still a win for us.”Yet the alcohol-ban didn’t keep people from trying.“You’ve got to sneak it in from the other side,” one rafter said.Others were upset their beer was confiscated.“Hell yeah, I was more than sad! I was devastated! I’m here to have fun. It’s Coors Light. It’s not like we had IPA,” another rafter said.Before fleeing rangers, Diaz said the ban was unrealistic.“Everyone is going to have alcohol. I mean, I could have a dollar and buy a beer from anybody on the river right now,” Diaz said. “A majority of it is having fun. Alcohol is just a little bonus.”Rangers said before the event came to a complete close, six people were arrested and several others cited for alcohol offenses.Two people were arrested for public intoxication, one person was arrested for driving under the influence after they drove through a barrier and tried to drive on the parkway, rangers said. Another person was arrested for battery on a peace officer. Two other people were arrested for other infractions.One person was taken to the hospital for injuries from a fight, rangers added. Two people were taken to the hospital after being found unresponsive.Rangers search for Rafters Gone Wild organizer in American River