When a sudden rainstorm turned a normally dry wash near Lake Pleasant into a raging torrent, Cave Creek resident Benny Sutton Jr. lost his life. His sister, Cheryl Compton, is using the tragedy to warn other drivers to avoid crossing washes during heavy rain.
Tragic loss
Benny Sutton Jr. was on his way to work at the historic Castle Hot Springs Resort on a Sunday evening when the floodwater overtook his pickup truck. He never arrived, and his family reported him missing. After days of searching, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office teams located his vehicle and recovered his body on Friday morning.
According to the sheriff’s office, the wash at the peak of the flood was six to eight feet deep and about 200 feet wide. Search crews deployed a combination of “jeep posse” personnel, ground teams, and aerial assets to comb the area.
Family remembers a hard‑working man
Cheryl Compton described her brother as a lifelong hard worker and a “jack of all trades” at the resort. “He could build anything,” she said. “You could put something in his head and he could take a piece of wood and make it work.” She added that Benny was also a protector for his family, saying, “He protected me to no end. With him and my husband, I had no fear.”
Benny’s 19‑year‑old daughter, Drew, was the center of his world. “Everything he did, he did for Drew,” Compton said, emphasizing the personal loss felt by the family.
A plea for safety
In the wake of the tragedy, Compton is urging residents to stay home when heavy rain is forecast and to avoid attempting to cross washes. “Just stay home,” she said. “Do your family a favor and stay home. Please.” Her message is a reminder that flash flooding can turn ordinary roads into deadly hazards in minutes.
The sheriff’s office thanked the community for its support and reiterated that anyone who sees dangerous flood conditions should contact emergency services rather than attempt a crossing.
How to stay safe during flash floods
- Monitor weather alerts from the National Weather Service.
- Avoid driving through washes, even if they appear shallow.
- If you become trapped, abandon the vehicle and move to higher ground.
- Report flooded roads to local authorities.
Cheryl Compton’s heartfelt appeal underscores the importance of heeding safety warnings and protecting families from the unpredictable power of nature.
Original reporting: azfamily KTVK/KPHO Phoenix (news) — read the source article.
