My guess is this man suffered from a mental break of some kind (micro stroke? fugue state?) that compelled him to run from his town as far away as he could. While in Washington, his condition deteriorated, he walked on the highway, confused and disoriented, and sadly became a victim of a hit-and-run. Scary to think this could happen to a person without any warning, just in the middle of a normal workday routine. I wonder, if anyone had managed to take Lewis off that road and get him professional help, would he eventually return to his previous life? Would he remember his journey across the US?
I totally agree that a fugue state explains why he left, but the thing that always trips me up is the clothes.
When they found him, he wasn't wearing his own stuff anymore. He was dressed in ill-fitting military fatigues and work boots that his family swore he never owned. So in that 24-hour window, he not only traveled 1,600 miles but somehow acquired a full military outfit? That specific detail makes the 'wandering confused' theory really hard to wrap my head around.
Maybe he lost, damaged or dirtied his clothes and shoes on his way and got new ones from a charity? Or from some kindly person. Or he stole them because paranoia told him to try and change his appearance. In any case, that adds another potential witness (the previous owner/seller of the clothes) who could shed light on this case.
I believe he suffered from undiagnosed mental illness, and in his mind, he wanted to escape. When someone begins to slip mentally, it’s difficult to figure out what they are thinking. In his case, it’s buying airline tickets which have no logical connection. I believe his death was a legitimate hit and run and not a suicide.
My guess is this man suffered from a mental break of some kind (micro stroke? fugue state?) that compelled him to run from his town as far away as he could. While in Washington, his condition deteriorated, he walked on the highway, confused and disoriented, and sadly became a victim of a hit-and-run. Scary to think this could happen to a person without any warning, just in the middle of a normal workday routine. I wonder, if anyone had managed to take Lewis off that road and get him professional help, would he eventually return to his previous life? Would he remember his journey across the US?
I totally agree that a fugue state explains why he left, but the thing that always trips me up is the clothes.
When they found him, he wasn't wearing his own stuff anymore. He was dressed in ill-fitting military fatigues and work boots that his family swore he never owned. So in that 24-hour window, he not only traveled 1,600 miles but somehow acquired a full military outfit? That specific detail makes the 'wandering confused' theory really hard to wrap my head around.
Maybe he lost, damaged or dirtied his clothes and shoes on his way and got new ones from a charity? Or from some kindly person. Or he stole them because paranoia told him to try and change his appearance. In any case, that adds another potential witness (the previous owner/seller of the clothes) who could shed light on this case.
I believe he suffered from undiagnosed mental illness, and in his mind, he wanted to escape. When someone begins to slip mentally, it’s difficult to figure out what they are thinking. In his case, it’s buying airline tickets which have no logical connection. I believe his death was a legitimate hit and run and not a suicide.
Is the WSP still keeping an investigation?