A missing Jackson man was located on Interstate 95 and is safe, according to the Roanoke Rapids Police Department.

It was a driver who was aware of the Silver Alert put out on 85-year-old Thomas Daniel Jernigan and noticed his vehicle around 7:30 this evening, interim Chief Bobby Martin said.

After police issued a media release on the man, Master Officer Joey Spragins issued a Silver Alert, which goes out across the state and to media subscribed to the list.

The driver, whose name was not immediately known, spotted Jernigan’s vehicle in the southbound lane of the interstate and contacted law enforcement. Law enforcement located the missing man around the 172 mile marker, Martin said.

It was not clear where Jernigan had been driving since leaving Halifax Regional after a visit around 11 p.m. Thursday, Martin said.

As of this report Jernigan was in the care of police and his family has been notified.

“We’re just appreciative of all the assistance we got and the Good Samaritan who was aware enough of the Silver Alert and made the call. Detective Gorton Williams, Lieutenant Charles Burnette and Master Officer Spragins demonstrated great teamwork in getting the information that eventually led us to bringing Mr. Jernigan home safely,” Martin said.

Martin said Debbie Manning of the National Center for Missing and Endangered was actively looking for Jernigan and remained in contact with police. “They have a great organization. I contacted her. She drove the roads looking to see if she saw the vehicle. She took great initiative. The telecommunicators relayed the information. We’re fortunate to have such awesome telecommunicators working with us.”

Jernigan was reported missing today around 11:30 a.m. after he did not return to his home as expected.