This may seem to be belaboring a point, but this statement from an Aberdeen newspaper might make clear what kind of terrain is involved:
"The car was in a remote area, but a deputy was eventually able to make it to the vehicle."
It sounds like calling where the vehicle was found even a "logging road" is being generous.
It sounds like someone drove the car out there in order to ditch it.
Sometimes when the full story is revealed, we are surprised at the facts. A good detective makes no assumptions...but rather let the clues lead him to wherever they may. What is surprising to me, is the ever increasing trend of missing people...the line continues up.