The family of a 19-year-old Durango man who fell into a stream and drowned Saturday in San Juan County is trying to raise enough money to transport his body to North Carolina, where his mother lives.

A GoFundMe site had raised $3,760 as of Tuesday night.

Devon Opalenik was walking on a snowbridge over the stream when it collapsed, said Keri Metzler, county coroner. Opalenik fell into the stream and became trapped under the ice, she said.

It is also possible the man was walking on a snowy incline and slipped into the water, said San Juan County Sheriff Bruce Conrad.

The accident occurred about 6 p.m. Saturday near Chattanooga, just below the south side of Red Mountain Pass.

Opalenik was walking with his father and a Great Dane-pit bull mix named Zia.

The dog went in to help Opalenik. The dog was found safe 5½ hours later.

Efforts to reach a family friend were unsuccessful Tuesday.

shane@durangoherald.com

To donate

A GoFundMe site has been set up to help pay to transport Devon Opalenik’s body back to his mother’s home in North Carolina. Visit bit.ly/1Gochkl to donate.