Dan and Cindy Habich were on an automobile trip from Pittsburgh to New Jersey Saturday, Aug. 12 when they struck road debris on Interstate 78 near the Summit Lawn exit atop South Mountain.

Stopping along the road, they found the debris had punctured their gas tank.

They quickly exited the interstate highway at Summit Lawn and traveled to South Pike Avenue.

“Something said ‘go left,’” Cindy Habich recalled. Just as they ran out of gas, they spotted Salisbury Police Department Patrol Officer Bryan Losagio along South Pike Avenue monitoring traffic flow.

Losagio assisted the couple by calling several auto dealerships. None would commit to even looking at the vehicle until Monday. Losagio contacted Mike “Motor Mike” Wilson of Motors Plus Car Care and Towing, of Emmaus, to come get the disabled vehicle. Wilson has been the “go to” towing service for Salisbury police incidents for many years.

Losagio posted how the incident unfolded on the police department’s social media page as follows.

“We’d like to recognize the efforts of Mike Wilson, owner of Motors Plus Car Care and Towing in Emmaus. This afternoon officers were monitoring traffic on South Pike Avenue when an older couple pulled over and frantically approached us. They advised us they had recently struck a piece of debris in the roadway, which caused a large hole/leak in their fuel tank.

“The gentleman explained that they lived over six hours away (Pittsburgh area) and were on a road trip with an out-of-state destination to meet a man who he had served in the United States military with 40 years ago.

“Unfortunately, no dealerships would even look at their vehicle until Monday and they would be stranded in the area, ruining their trip.

“After Motors Plus Towing was called to remove their vehicle, the husband and wife began trying to figure out where they would stay for the next several days. They had no family or friends in the Lehigh Valley and this delay would ruin their trip.

“While loading their vehicle onto the tow truck, Mike Wilson heard that they were stranded. He determined he was not going to allow a broken-down vehicle to ruin their trip, or the reuniting of two United States military veterans who served our country.

“Mike not only offered to repair their vehicle first thing Monday morning but also kindly offered them (complete strangers) the use of his personal family car to proceed with their trip.

“The couple was taken aback by the kindness of Mike’s selfless offer and humbly accepted it. They shortly after resumed their trip.

“Excellent job, Mike. The world needs more people just like you,” the posting concluded.

When the couple returned to Motors Plus Aug. 18 to return Wilson’s automobile and reclaim theirs, they were effusive in their gratitude to Wilson and to Losagio, who came to the shop on his day off to wish the couple well.

“They’re our heroes,” Dan and Cindy declared.

Asked what led to the fortunate circumstances that averted a vacation disaster, Dan Habich asserted, “It was just good timing; the Lord was looking out for us.”

Wilson had a hard time hearing his kindness was heroic. “All I did was loan them my car,” he said.

For two travelers who encountered Wilson’s unexpected kindness, it was so much more than just the loan of an automobile. “Without him, we would not have had our vacation,” Cindy Habich said.

Judy Klotz, Wilson’s office manager, who witnessed the whole episode, said she was not surprised by Wilson’s kindness. “That’s just the way he is,” she said.

KINDNESS COUNTS

In a world where everyday we are deluged by media accounts of war, crime, political turmoil, weather disasters and other disconcerting events, it is refreshing to hear stories of people who extend great kindness without hesitation or reservation.

The Press is eager to hear of stories such as this. If you are extended such a kindness, or witness such an encounter, please let us know so we can consider it for publication. Please send your message to dgalbraith@tnonline.com.

Thank you

Debbie Galbraith, editor

Salisbury Press and East Penn Press