Dear Editor,

My intent for writing this is to put the spotlight on a Good Samaritan driver, Joe Bulyaki of Willow Creek Carriers in Pilot Butte, Sask.

I was on a five-hour return trip home to Saskatoon at the end of the afternoon on June 29, when I was confronted by a serious engine problem. While parked on the shoulder and trying to deal with my dilemma, a road angel pulled up behind my stalled vehicle. It took him only about five minutes of mechanical know-how and four litres of his antifreeze to figure out that I had blown a head gasket. Knowing that I had to temporarily abandon my vehicle, and weighing all my dismal options, his offer of a lift to Saskatoon was welcome.

I certainly had to think twice about accepting a long ride from a stranger. However, the intelligent and professional way in which he conducted himself, I felt this was a sincere offer. Also, somewhere in my gut feelings, something said I could trust this guy.

To be honest, I don’t know much about the trucking industry. The two-hour drive to Saskatoon was a big learning curve. Now, I have a greater understanding about the difficulties of this occupation for drivers and their families. This experience convinces me that more emphasis on respecting trucker traffic should go into the school driver education programs. Maybe because I come from a rural background myself, or maybe because I have a cousin who is a trucker, I sure have a lot of healthy respect and gratitude for road angels like Joe Bulyaki.

Pat Prokopchuk

President

Saski-Sikking for Disabled