MISHAP: Good guys step up

On Thursday, July 19th, I was driving into Coeur d’Alene from my home in Post Falls when the community I live in displayed heroic qualities of which I had never seen before.

I had just turned off of the 4th Street exit heading toward Costco when my car lurched violently a handful of times. I checked my rearview mirror, sure that numerous cars were piling up behind me and I was being rear-ended. To my amazement, no one was behind me and there was smoke billowing up from either my tires or my engine.

I took a minute to get my bearings when all of a sudden, I noticed a man parked in the other lane, checking on me and my car. He offered to help me get a tow truck and talked me through the scenario to find out what had happened. He knew right away that it was my transmission. He and another nice man who had stopped to help tried to push my car off to the side of the road as it was blocking traffic. My car would not roll forward, only backward.

By now, two other men had stopped to help. One was from the Sheriff’s department and helped direct traffic. Someone, at some point, had called 911 for me and two different police officers came to get a report and assess the situation. In the meantime, countless people slowed down and offered their help. I couldn’t use any help, because my car needed to be towed, but I was so grateful for every offer. I did not catch anyone’s name, nor did I have a chance to properly thank everyone. I know that the first driver was in a mobile massage business vehicle and the last officer was named Avriett. Each person showed immense kindness and an overwhelming willingness to help me.

I had never met any of these people before, but I will never forget a single one. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. I am so grateful to live in a wonderful community such as this one. God Bless you all.

K. CURLEE

Post Falls