Missing Disabled Adult Struck By Vehicle On Escambia Interstate

November 20, 2011

A missing endangered adult with a disability from Marianna was discovered seriously injured along I-10 Saturday night. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, he was possibly struck by a westbound vehicle.

The FHP responded to a disabled vehicle call on I-10 near Highway 29 about 6 p.m. Saturday. When troopers checked the tag on the vehicle, they discovered it belong to 73-year old Joseph Dawson Cooke, Jr. of Marianna, who had been reported missing. As troopers searched the area, they found Cooke about one-half mile east of his vehicle with injuries to his head and hand. He was found about three feet off the roadway in a grassy area.

Cooke was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was listed in serious condition Saturday night.

Comments

7 Responses to “Missing Disabled Adult Struck By Vehicle On Escambia Interstate”

  1. Char on November 22nd, 2011 8:36 am

    @Sue Beck

    That’s alright I figured you just miss read what I said and I have been
    known to do that once in a while probably also, so I just said nothing.

    @JT

    Thank’s however, JT for being a person who sticks up for others even
    when you don’t know them, not everyone bothers to be that nice.
    Thanks again.

  2. Sue Beck on November 21st, 2011 1:54 pm

    Yes, JT, you’re probably right. Sorry Char…that would make sense…I just hope the gentleman is ok.

  3. JT on November 20th, 2011 10:30 pm

    Sue I don’t think Char was talking about the elderly male. He was talking about the car that hit him and left the scene.

  4. Sue Beck on November 20th, 2011 9:40 pm

    Ummm, Char, did you not read that this was a “missing endangered adult with a disability”, meaning probably dementia, Alzheimer’s or something of that sort. I don’t think he intended to avoid the situation, but rather went looking for assistance and wandered too close to the roadway. Many elderly people get confused easily. He may not of even been able to operate a phone if he had one. My mom had a phone available to her in her late 70s but she forgot how to even use it although we showed her over and over. Thankfully, this man was found and some family members can rest easier knowing he was found alive.

  5. mysay on November 20th, 2011 10:15 am

    Everyone needs an emergency cell phone (tracphone) etc. or pay as you go.
    I did not have one for years, then this year I saved up to get a trac because of an incident I was in that scared me and I realized this is when I really need a phone.
    Too dangerous to leave your vehicle these days or even to flag for help.

    Hope this 73 year old Mr Cooke recovers. Prayers for him and family.

  6. Char on November 20th, 2011 7:12 am

    This is the second time in a few days that someone left the scene of an
    accident. This shows that to many people today have no conscience or
    honor, how do they sleep at night?

  7. 429SCJ on November 20th, 2011 6:49 am

    Lord help this person recover. This is my worst nightmare when I drive, a Child or Senior, wandering into the road. If it can happen on I-10, just think about our rural roads, and residential areas. Please slow down, your driving ability may not be as great, as your delusions of such. In these tragic occurances, your urine assay had sure better say clean, your fault or not.