Given the details in the sheriffs report, this is my theory of what happened:
Somewhere near the intersection where the last digital evidence was recorded, Jason turned off Waze to begin messaging or photo messaging via Snapchat. I think this began while he was stopped at an intersection – not quite texting and driving, but close. Snapchat is a commonly used platform for text and photo messaging. My theory is that these snaps were not regarding a meet up or anything to do with his trip, but rather just normal messaging with friends.
Soon after, I believe his phone accidentally slipped out of his hand and lodged between the driver seat and the center console at the place where the last digital ping occurred. Given Waze was turned off, this could explain why Jason missed his turn and continued on to salt flat road. It also could explain why there was no additional phone usage reported even though Jason’s phone had power and service.
After dropping his phone, and well still distracted thinking about the messaging he was doing on Snapchat (perhaps with a girl he was interested in?), Jason continues for 5 miles in the wrong direction to the place where his car was found on Salt Flat Road. Something causes him to swerve or over correct - possibly an animal, a slippery part of the road.
In the accident, Jason hits his head. He grabs his backpack, and climbs out of the car. He does not take his phone, because he knows it is wedged between the seats This is when he scratches himself on the car or a tree or on the barbed wire and gets the small amount of blood on his waist band. Confused and disoriented, he drops his backpack close to his car. As he continues walking in search of help, his head injury causes paradoxical undressing.
Sadly, I believe that Jason likely died of his injuries and/or the elements nearby and has simply been missed in the previous searches. I still think that the nearby bodies of water are the best location to search, even perhaps the one pond that was partially drained. I think that this is a sad and unfortunate accidental death.
I think the weed was for personal use while home over the holidays and unrelated to his disappearance. I also do not think that there were others involved.
I think this is truly a terrible case of bad luck. I feel for Jason‘s family, and I hope they are able to locate him soon and to be able to have some closure in there are grieving process.
all of the above is my own theory, amateur opinion, and speculation.