RUSSELLVILLE (KFSM) — A couple who were the subjects of a Silver Alert were found Tuesday after a car crash killed one and injured the other.
According to a report from the Arkansas State Police, the 2018 Buick Encore driven by Lee Hopkins, 87, of Russellville was northbound on state Highway 7 when he failed to negotiate a left curve and left the roadway. The car went down an embankment and struck a tree.
Elizabeth Hopkins, 90, Lee Hopkins’ wife, was a passenger in the car and was killed in the crash. Lee Hopkins was injured. He was taken to St. Mary’s Regional Hospital in Russellville.
“He remembers the car rolling, but he doesn't remember it being all that severe. He couldn’t understand why he was at the hospital,” said Reverend Brian Brock of Central Presbyterian Church.
Rev. Brock said he visited Lee in the ICU Wednesday morning.
He said Lee appears to be in a fog. However, when he’s actually focused on Elizabeth being deceased, he gets distraught.
Rev. Brock also mentioned that Elizabeth had been suffering from dementia over the last several years. He also mentioned Lee suffered from medical issues, which was corroborated by the Silver Alert.
A Silver Alert was issued for the couple Monday after authorities said Lee Hopkins checked his wife out of a local assisted living center for breakfast Sunday morning and did not return.
At this point, police and community members we reached out to do not know where the couple was, or what they were doing during the days they were missing.