'We just want him back': N.J. man missing after running from I-78

Seen in a 2015 photo, 26-year-old Micky Kerby was listed as missing after running from his parents' car the morning of Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016, along Interstate 78 in Hunterdon County. (Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com)

UPDATE: N.J. man found in Pa. after running away on I-78

A New Jersey man went missing Wednesday morning in Hunterdon County after experiencing some sort of psychological episode, according to his family.

Micky Kerby, 26, of Sparta Township in Sussex County, was entered Thursday into a law enforcement database as a missing person, New Jersey State Police at Perryville said.

Steve Kerby described his son as well-liked, shy and non-aggressive, but he's suddenly turned extremely anxious -- particularly with regard to authority figures.

"Right now he's exhibiting signs of paranoia that we haven't seen before," Steve Kerby told lehighvalleylive.com on Thursday afternoon.

Mickey had gone to the Lockn' Festival that ran Thursday through Sunday in Nelson County, Virginia. A friend then called the Kerby home to say Micky had missed his ride back to New Jersey after acting strangely and not hanging out with those whom he had accompanied to the music festival.

He lost his cellphone and was reported as missing in Virginia, where police found him in Charlottesville and took him to the University of Virginia Health System. He was treated for minor injuries suffered while wandering through wooded area, in addition to dehydration, according to his family.

Steve Kerby and his wife drove to the hospital to pick Micky up Wednesday and take him home, where he would undergo a mental health evaluation.

"We talked to him," Steve Kerby said. "He seemed coherent. He had a few strange things to say, but we thought he was good enough to bring him back."

They came up through Pennsylvania and got as far as about Exit 7 for Bloomsbury along Interstate 78 in Hunterdon County, where Micky decided he wanted to get out of the moving car. Steve Kerby pulled over, Micky got out and ran south from the highway. It was about 8 or 9 a.m.

"I chased him, I fell, when I got up, he was gone," Steve Kerby said.

Micky is described as 5 feet 11 inches tall and thin, about 155 pounds, with a scraggly beard.

Steve Kerby was out in Hunterdon County on Thursday posting fliers, and the family has turned to social media to get out the word, as well.

"We just want him back," Steve Kerby said.

The family asks anyone with information to call New Jersey State Police at Perryville at 908-730-7042.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.