Diesel Fuel

This big GMC truck I found on the Waipahu off ramp, coming home at the apex of the hill. He said he has a helf tank of diesel fule, but it seems like it's not getting to the engine. He thinks air is getting into the fuel line somehow. He already had someone on the way, so once again nothing I could really do. Didn't give him a card and snapped off a quick photo which turns out focussed on my camera instead. This is a junk way to take a quick photo, I have to try something else.

Accident Aftermath

This young lady had had an accident earlier in the day. She didn't think her car was damaged, but after getting on the freeway, the car started to smoke, so she decided to pull over and call a tow truck. She was waiting for the tow truck (with her daughter in the back seat) and there really wasn't anything I could do. I forgot to give her a card and nearly forgot to take a photo.

Transmission

I stopped for a guy (Jeff?) in Mililani today. He was near McDonald's and his white car was off to the side of the road, but not completely off. He was just standing there waiting when I pulled over. Nice guy! He told me it wouldn't stay in gear and he had coasted to a stop where he was. I helped him get the car safely out of traffic and there was really nothing else for him to do but wait for the tow truck, which was already on its way. I gave him a website card and we said goodbye, joking about his good fortune of being stranded on a beautiful day in the shade of a big tree. Aloha Jeff (?)!

Stopped Today

After nearly a month of no cars or me on a tight schedule, I finally was able to make a stop.

I stopped by a truck that had its hood up but no blinkers. The guy came out to meet me and said it just died on him in the fast lane and he had to hobble his way across all the lanes of traffic to get the car to the side of the road. He thought it was just a loose battery cable. I got my "jumper" kit and we had the engine running again, but is sounded terrible! Strange squeals and didn't quite want to idle. He said that the oil light was also on. By then his friend (who had called earlier) arrived so I gave him a website card and said bye. Hope his engine is alright!

(I thought I posted a "mobile" Treo blog entry, but I guess it didn't take.)

Good end to a bad day

Near Aloha Stadium I was kind of stuck in the middle lane. I usually drive home in the right lane, because that is where most stranded drivers end up. Coming from the viaduct and merging with the Moanaloa Freeway puts me right in the middle. I was getting irritated because the traffic on both sides of me was moving pretty briskly and I couldn't match speeds for a lane change, and I soon found out why. A few cars ahead of me was a pickup that was slowly lurching to a stop. Eventually I was right behind it and I fired up the amber dome light, to help people realize there was a problem.

The truck wouldn't quite stop, and it couldn't quite go, everytime I thought it was through it would seem to revive. We limped over to the right shoulder slowly as I blocked traffic. Eventually the painter's pickup came to a stop.

I walked up and asked if there was anything I could do to help. They didn't have a cellphone so I let them use mine. It was noisy and so it was hard to hear. The first call was a little funny because after 30 seconds of trying to make himself understood he realized it was a wrong number! The second call seemed to go through and I guess he was able to call for help.

His passenger asked if I could take him to Pearl City. I said no problem and he gathered his stuff and hopped in my truck with me. I don't want to get into details but today was a very frustrating "first day on the job" for him and he was very grateful to be "rescued" from his day. He was very frustrated with the driver, whom he had just met that day and he wanted nothing else to do with him. We introduced ourselves and I enjoyed listening to him. He had a lot to say! I ended up taking him to Waipahu High School since there was a transit center there and it was basically on my way.

I gave him a card and dropped him off at the bus stop. I'd have to say I have never met anyone so grateful for my assistance than this young man. He said he was ready to just get out of the truck and walk home already!

I'm glad I was able to bring a little blessing to his life. Hopefull he'll check in here and give his side of the story too!

Beware Police Impersonator

News Release
June 4, 2007

Impersonating a Police Officer and
Unauthorized Entry into a Motor Vehicle

CrimeStoppers and the Honolulu Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a male wanted for Impersonating a Police Officer and Unauthorized Entry Into a Motor Vehicle.

On May 23, 2007 at about 7:45 p.m., a female was driving northbound on Piikoi Street when she was pulled over by a male claiming to be a Police Officer. The suspect had a rotating blue light on the dashboard and used a loud speaker to order the driver to stop. The suspect told the driver that she was being pulled over for a defective tail light and to get out of her vehicle. The female, who was talking on her cell phone refused and the suspect tried to grab the phone from her. The female began screaming for help, and two males scared the male away. The male got back into his vehicle and fled.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call CrimeStoppers at
955-8300, or *CRIME on your cellular phone.

Free cellular calls are provided by AT&T, Nextel Hawaii, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless Hawaii.

Suspect: Unknown male
Race: Hawaiian
Age: 20’s
Complexion: Tan
Clothing: Black jacket, black pants
Vehicle: 4 door, dark blue or black sedan, dark tinted windows

Roadside Rescue

These sweet ladies were having some kind of mechanical issue that robbed the van of power. Someone else had also stopped and was helping them too. She already had her husband on the way. I realized there was nothing I could do to help and I didn't have my cards on me at the time either.

This message was sent from Rich's Treo 650.

Lull...

Just a note to say that I've been driving my wife's car for a week while we have some maintenance issues attended to. No stops last week and probably won't start again until Thursday afternoon. Don't get stuck until Thursday! (grin) -Rich

Blue S.U.V.

This person declined any assistance and said that a tow truck was already on the way. She said the problem was mechanical and she would simply wait for the tow truck to arrive. I think she might have felt a little scared so I didn't offer her a card. I think she just wanted me to go away. That's OK. I understand. She must have felt very vulnerable.

This message was sent from Rich's Treo 650.

Yellow Pickup Truck

Stopped when I saw a yellow pickup on the road with its flashers on and its hood up. He said his wife was already coming and that he needed to rebuild his carburetor. There was nothing I could really do but was able to give him a card and say "God Bless You". He waved thanks as I pulled away. I forgot to take a photo.

This message was sent from Rich's Treo 650.