Jody Tarbutton of Boothwyn, Pa. meant to go for quick trip to the hardware store but ended up 900 miles away in Haleyville, Ala.
He learned where he was on Monday — two days after he had been reported missing by his family — when he asked two police officers eating in a restaurant.
The officers ran his drivers license and found he had reported missing. His daugahter, Cindy Gatta, of Wilimington had also posted a plea on Facebook.
The officers got him to a hospital where he was treated for high blood pressure and dehydration.
Mrs. Gatta says her father has never been diagnosed with dementia and attributed his journey to old age. Officials noted he would have almost certainly had to have driven through severe weather.
Tarubrton’s family flew to Birmingham were they were met by residents of Haleyville who drove them for a reunion with their father in the hospital.
Mrs. Gatta described the return as a Christmas miracle.
Welcome back home to Delaware County Jody–just in time to make it a merry Christmas for your family and those of us who love happy endings.