BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio -- What started as a simple traffic stop on Interstate 70 became an all out search, by foot and by dogs.

Deputies said they stopped a van headed eastbound and inside were 11 suspected illegal immigrants. Deputies said one didn’t stop. Instead, 19-year-old Erick Perez Hernandez took off running, diving head first over a retaining wall, falling nearly 70 feet to the ground.

“He laid there and appeared to be unconscious for 20 to 30 seconds,” said Sgt. Tom Devaul, Belmont County Sheriffs Department. “The deputy could not get to him because of the length of the wall. He saw the man get up and stagger off. It looked like he was injured pretty bad.”

Devaul said deputies searched for hours. “We followed footsteps and blood but because of the fog and darkness, it was hard.”

Deputies did get a good look at him and said Hernandez was wearing a dark yellow sweat shirt and jeans. Hernandez is 5 feet 5 to 5 feet 7 inches and weighs between 130 and 150 pounds.

Hoping daylight would help in their efforts, deputies hit the woods Tuesday morning, scouring the area for Hernandez and called out a plane. Hours later, there’s still no sign of Hernandez.

Officials have called off the plane and the foot search but said they’re still on the lookout.

“We’re still going to have patrols and hopefully catch a sight of him,” said Devaul.

Deputies said they hope Hernandez survived the nearly 70 foot fall and is still alive.

Deputies said Hernandez will probably require medical attention and will face charges including obstructing and escape.

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