Disoriented, Elderly Couple Found Driving 900 Miles From Home

PALOS PARK, IL — An older couple who set out for a drive from their home in South Carolina were found on a dark forested road early Monday morning in Palos Park. The couple had driven 900 miles for several days, police said.

Officer Ross Chibe was patrolling the western heavily forested areas of Palos Park just after midnight when he noticed a car ahead of him. The car was driving very slowly, stopping and then starting again.

Since it was the only car on the dark road, Chibe followed it until finally making contact with the passengers, an older couple believed to be in their 70s. The couple, last seen at home in South Carolina late last week, had been driving off and on for days and sleeping in their car.

Chibe noticed the couple were weak and disoriented. The man and woman were taken to Palos Northwest Health for treatment and evaluation. He remained with the couple to make sure they were safe and secure while locating their family. Eventually, Chibe was able to contact the couple’s son in Las Vegas. Arrangements are being made to assist the couple in getting home.

Police Chief Joe Miller said the couple both had medical conditions and were fatigued from driving and living out of a car the past three or four days.

“They were starting to have memory issues,” Miller said. “They were just out driving, enjoyed it, and kept on driving and didn’t keep track of where they were or where they were going.”

Chibe is the night shift officer and has been with the Palos Park Police Department since he was a 14-year-old police cadet.

“He was definitely in the right place at the time,” Miller said.