Seventy-nine-year-old Calvin Boatright's truck was found lodged against some trees in a remote area near Normantown in Gilmer County last night.
"It could go no further on the remote road," said Calhoun Sheriff Carl Ballengee.
"Boatright was not in the vehicle," said Ballengee, who indicated there were no signs of foul play, although "We have yet to rule out all the options."
The elderly man was allegedly suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. He had been missing for five days from his residence on Sassafras Ridge near Russett, Calhoun County.
Neighbors said he likely took his Norwegian dog with him. The dog has yet to surface.
The Gilmer County Sheriff's Department checked on the truck after a farmer discovered the abandoned vehicle on the primitive dead-end road. Sheriff Ballengee was called to the scene yesterday evening.
The farmer had seen a poster about the missing man at Sear's Exxon at Stumptown, and returned to the woods to verify the license number.
Ballengee and Sgt. Tom Yanero reportedly tracked a scent from the truck to a barn about 40 yards away, before heavy rains fell on the area.
"Both dogs were tracking before it rained," said Ballengee. "Then the scent went away."
Authorities are continuing the search, but if Boatright is not found, a full-fledged search party will be organized to comb the area, said Ballengee.
Neighbors near where Boatright's truck was found said he likely drove into the wooded area sometime over the weekend, which would mean he had been at other locations or traveling around last week.
In fact, tire tracks on the primitive road indicated he managed to drive back out of the area, to return again and lodge his truck.
Sheriff Ballengee said an acquaintance of Boatright reported he saw the man in his truck Thursday night on the Mt. Zion Ridge.
Ballengee said he is appreciative of the dozens of individuals who have offered information and assistance in trying to locate Boatright.
SEE earlier Herald stories.
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