Illinois Dad, 59, Vanishes After Refusing Medical Care Following Crash; Troubling Footage Spurs Community Search

Daniel “Dan” Davis, 59, of Merrionette Park, Illinois, has been missing for two weeks after a late-night car crash and his subsequent refusal of medical attention, his family and local authorities say. The disappearance has prompted an endangered missing-person alert and a community search after surveillance footage showed him appearing disoriented.

What happened

According to a Cook County Sheriff's Office accident report, the incident began at approximately 11:15 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 24, when Davis was involved in a two-vehicle crash. Neither driver was suspected of impairment, but the report and family members say Davis may have suffered a head injury. After his vehicle was towed, an officer from the sheriff’s office reportedly drove Davis to his workplace.

Find Dan Davis/FacebookMissing persons flyer for Daniel Davis III

Shortly after, at about 1:15 a.m. on Nov. 25, Davis was last seen leaving 115 Bourbon Street, the bar where he had worked for nearly 25 years. The Chicago Police Department later described his clothing that night as a black baseball cap, a black Harley-Davidson jacket, a red sweatshirt and black jeans.

Concerning sightings and video

Since his disappearance, the family says they have collected roughly 10 video clips showing Davis walking in residential neighborhoods, cutting through alleys and moving across yards. Officials confirmed two recorded sightings on Nov. 26: one around 3 p.m. on Old Western Avenue in Blue Island and another at about 6:30 p.m. near St. Donatus Church on South Union Street.

Find Dan Davis/FacebookDaniel Davis III

"He's walking a bit crooked and seems confused," said Wendy Davis, Dan’s daughter. "We are doing everything you can think of — canvassing flyers, checking cameras, talking to kind strangers, and making a whole lot of noise. We need the community to continue to spread the word and check their cameras. Giving up is not an option."

Community response

Authorities have issued an endangered missing-person alert, and family, friends and neighbors continue to canvass the area, share flyers and review private camera footage. 115 Bourbon Street invited the public to a candlelight vigil and community search planned for Tuesday, Dec. 9, asking locals to "pray with us to bring Dan home" and to join the search efforts.

The Cook County Sheriff's Office did not immediately provide additional comment. Loved ones are urging anyone who recognizes Davis or has relevant footage to contact local police.