Florida man with dementia lost in northeastern Arizona rescued by DPS troopers

PHOENIX — A Florida man who believed he was in Atlanta was rescued by Arizona troopers after he wound up in Apache County, the Department of Public Safety said Monday.

The man reached DPS by phone and stated he was driving a Chevrolet Malibu without any idea of where he was. He told authorities he was thirsty, hungry and about to pass out before losing contact when the call dropped.

DPS Highway Patrol obtained the man’s coordinates in a remote part of Apache County, east of U.S. highway 191 in northeastern Arizona. He was located after an extensive search by troopers and rangers, DPS said.

Authorities learned the 80-year-old man, who has dementia, thought he was delivering items to a friend in Georgia.

DPS made arrangements to get the man back home.

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