Putnam County—An early morning 911 call to the Putnam County E-911 Dispatch Center, along with calls to the Putnamville Post from a nearby convenience mart, both reporting an erratic driver, ultimately led to safe return of an elderly Greene County (Indiana) woman. The erratic driver was reportedly last seen westbound on US 40 from US 231 driving a green 2001 Mercury passenger car.

At 7:55 this morning, just minutes after the 911 call, Putnam County Sheriff’s deputy Adam Hull spotted the vehicle westbound on US 40 near County Road 625 W in Reelsville. As Deputy Hull was attempting to stop the vehicle, Indiana State Police Major Brad Scully was eastbound on US 40 and saw the erratic driver was not immediately stopping. Major Scully turned around and pulled in behind Deputy Hull to assist. Moments later the vehicle stopped and the officers noticed the driver was an elderly female who appeared very confused. Working with ISP Region III Dispatch Center, the officers learned the female was reported to the Greene County Sheriff’s Office as a missing person and the sheriff’s office was currently in the process of requesting an Indiana Silver Alert for the woman. She was identified as 90-year-old Iris R. Peavey of Jasonville, Indiana.

Major Scully and Deputy Hull transported the female and her car to the nearby Putnamville Post where the staff of the post provided refreshments and comfort to Ms. Peavey until the arrival of her family. Other than experiencing confusion and anxiety, Ms. Peavey was otherwise ok. Ms. Peavey had been driving around for an extended period of time, possibly overnight, trying to find her way home.

The 911 calls from motorists and attendants at the nearby convenience mart, along with the officers being in the right place at the right time, surely concluded a dangerous situation for Ms. Peavey.