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INDOT, ISP help 92-year-old dementia patient found 119 miles from home with flat tire

Posted at 10:49 PM, Mar 24, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-24 22:50:27-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- An INDOT worker and Indiana State Police trooper helped a 92-year-old dementia patient safely reunite with her family after she got a flat tire over 100 miles away from home.

INDOT Hoosier Helper Aaron Thomas said he was driving along I-65 near Southport Road on Thursday when he saw the woman at the side of the road with a flat tire.

“This elderly woman got out, and she started walking back towards my truck,” said Thomas.

Thomas said he was chatted with the woman and noticed that she was confused about where she was and where she was going.

“She actually thought she was north of Indianapolis still, but she was southbound right before Southport Road, she so she was on the other side of Indianapolis.” said Thomas.

Thomas called Indianapolis State Police Master Trooper Kelly Lazzell and the two of them were able to determine that the 92-year-old woman was from Warsaw, Indiana, which is 119 miles north of Indianapolis.

The woman told them she was trying to get to a friends’ house, but couldn’t recall who her friend was.

“That flat tire potentially saved her life,” said Thomas. “State police said she would have probably kept driving and made it to Kentucky if it hadn’t been for her flat.”

Thomas said he’s glad he was able to help the woman get safely back home.

“I love the job, I love helping people,” said Thomas.