San Rafael Man Spends Night in SUV After Crashing It Near Calistoga

A San Rafael man who spent the night in his SUV after it crashed and went down an embankment near Calistoga on Monday is recovering at a hospital, a California Highway Patrol spokesman said.

William Simpson, 75, left his home at 10 p.m. Monday to deliver newspapers in Calistoga, CHP Officer Jon Sloat said.

He lost control of his 2002 GMC Envoy on Porter Creek Road, ran off the roadway and went down an embankment, Sloat said.

Simpson was able to get out of his car but could not climb the wet hillside, so he spent the night in his vehicle, Sloat said.

His wife filed a missing-person report when he did not return home early Tuesday, Sloat said.

On Tuesday morning, Simpson made his way to a private road and flagged down a passing motorist. He was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with major injuries but is expected to survive, Sloat said.

--Bay City News Service