An 81-year-old Orland Park man who was reported missing this week collapsed at an Oak Forest gas station late Wednesday while asking an attendant for directions.
Police say Stephen D. Konopka was disoriented and confused about 9 p.m. when he drove his 1997 Toyota RAV4 to the Shell station at 159th Street and Oak Park Avenue. He told the attendant he was lost and asked for directions, said Orland Park Police Cmdr. Walter J. Kaszubski.
Konopka, weak from dehydration and lack of food, collapsed but remained conscious, he said. He was taken to Palos Community Hospital in Palos Heights, where he remained Thursday in fair condition, said spokeswoman Charlene Hill.
Konopka was last seen at 2 p.m. Tuesday after having lunch with his younger brother at an Orland Park restaurant. The brothers live together but left in separate cars.
“He (Konopka) said he was going to do a few things and never showed up,” Kaszubski said.
Konopka does not suffer from any known medical condition, police said. After he failed to return home, his brother reported him missing at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.