Missing Holbrook man's body found in crashed car

The body of an elderly Holbrook man was discovered in a crashed and overturned car Thursday, a day after his family reported him missing, Suffolk police said.

Detectives speculate that Gerard Paul, 87, of 418 Furrows Rd., was driving home and instead of traveling on Long Island Avenue, made a wrong turn on to Union Avenue.

Investigators suspect that Paul then continued to drive his car west on Union Avenue past the end of the paved roadway into an overgrown and debris-filled area, where the car struck a large dirt mound and flipped over.

"I don't think he crashed because of any health problem," said Det. Sgt. Edward Fandry. "He just made a wrong turn."

It is not clear yet when the accident took place, Fandry said. Paul, who lived alone, was last seen on Tuesday. His adult children were unable to contact him, police said, and reported him missing to authorities Wednesday.

A Silver Alert was issued for him at that point, police said. The Silver Alert is a program that allows local law enforcement to share information with media outlets about missing elderly people or those with special needs.

Paul was not discovered until about 1:30 p.m. Thursday when some electrical contractors working in the area came across his overturned 1997 Saturn with him inside, police said.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives asked that anyone with information about the case contact the Sixth Squad at 631-854-8652 or Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS.