MISSING GA MAN RESCUED BY CROSSVILLE TRUCKER ON I-40 AT WESTEL
Last Sunday morning Crossville trucker Gene Johnson was heading east on I-40 in his big rig when he came upon a Caddillac sitting sideways across the three-lane portion of the interstate. Other cars were driving right on by the car using the far left lane and even the emergency pull-off lane. Johnson pulled his big rig off to the side of the interstate and walked to the car in the middle of traffic. There he found an elderly gentleman sitting in the car a bit disorientated. After helping the man get his car out of traffic and onto the side of the interstate, Mr. Johnson questioned the driver who he knew only as David. In short time Mr. Johnson knew that something wasn’t right with David. Johnson called 911 to get county deputies and an ambulance dispatched to the scene. After running the gentleman’s driver’s license, deputies learned that 76-year-old David was a missing person reported out of Jackson Georgia. He had just been released from the VA hospital after being treated for a stroke. David was a retired Army 1st Sergeant. His family was contacted who informed the officers David was also suffering from dementia. The gentleman was taken to the Cumberland County Justice Center until his son arrived from Chattanooga to pick him up. Mr. Johnson said ‘David’ was the nicest man he’d met in a while and he was glad he was able to assist in getting him out of the middle of the busy interstate and on his way back home safely. No doubt the family was glad Mr. Johnson took the time to help get David back home too and avoid a potential tragedy had another motorist crashed into Davids’s car sitting sideways in the middle of the interstate.
ME Poly
July 1, 2021 at 4:34 am
I am so thankful we still have people that care about other people than just them selfs, no matter their color all lives do matter older or younger middle age, thank you Mr Johnson, I know how you fill I did the same thing many years ago older gentleman westbound from North Carolina everybody kept passing him he was sitting there all alone by the interstate, so thank you for caring!!!
Gabrielle
July 1, 2021 at 5:57 pm
Wow, Thank you so much for doing the right thing Gene! David’s family must be beyond thankful for your true kindness!
wanda reed
July 1, 2021 at 8:17 am
Good job Gene. In a world where so many are afraid to stop to help some one, you did the right thing. I am glad to know you. Thank you Wanda
Ursula Figna
July 1, 2021 at 8:46 am
I don’t understand why other Motorists did not stop.
Anyone with common sense should realize that something is wrong, when a car sits sideways on the Interstate.
This Country is going to hell.
And why always the reference to Skin Color?
Thank you to the Trucker who stopped and rescued the man and shame on all of you who passed him up.
Cowards.
Samantha qualls
July 1, 2021 at 9:06 am
Way to go dad … so proud of you …
Joe
July 1, 2021 at 9:50 am
Just released from the VA hospital? Not all VA hospitals are competent. This needs to be investigated to make sure he was ready to release. Thank God him and the trucker wasn’t injured
Anonymous
July 1, 2021 at 11:14 pm
What a good citizen he was! Thank God they’re ok?
Eric
July 3, 2021 at 4:32 am
I do not Mr Gene but I am thankful for his kindness to someone he did not know,
But I know kindness is Christ-like and we need more people like that,
J-Jesus
O-Others
Y-You
Thank you Sir!
Chaplain Jerry Thomas Brownstead
July 5, 2021 at 3:58 pm
From a retired 40 year OTR trucker to you Gene…THANK YOU for your kindness and being a true Knight of the Road my friend…And as a military veteran I say Thank You for taking care of one of my brothers in arms…May God keep and guide you on your many journeys sir…
Jerry T. Brownstead
Chaplain American Legion
Post # 163
Crossville,Tennessee