Yesterday’s Post Road car crash near Stop & Shop was harrowing.
It was also heroic.
As first reported by WestportNow in a compelling story, several people from Vautrin Auto Service rushed to help.
So did Aaron Tucker.
The 32-year-old was on a bus from Bridgeport to Norwalk, for a job interview. The driver said he’d leave him there. But, Tucker told WestportNow, “I had to do what I had to do.”
He took off a new dress shirt, and used it as a tourniquet. He also turned off the ignition, preventing a possible fire.
Tucker gave up a lot by sacrificing his shirt — and his job interview.
Aaron Tucker (Photo courtesy of WestportNow.com)
WestportNow said that he lives in a Isaiah House in Bridgeport — a halfway facility — after spending 22 months in prison on a weapons charge. When he helped save the accident victim’s life, he had just $1.75 in his pocket. He also has a 21-month-old son.
“I’m determined to change my life,” he told WestportNow. “I just want to support my son and his mother,” Tucker said.
He added, “I’m looking for any kind of job –- construction worker, landscaper, restaurant worker. I’ll do a good job.”
WestportNow editor Gordon Joseloff got these quotes — and got to know Tucker — as Joseloff gave him a ride back to Bridgeport.
Tucker worried that he would be unable to vouch to his halfway house supervisors for missing the Norwalk job interview — or explain how he lost his new shirt.
When Joseloff explained to the supervisors what happened, one told Tucker, “you did God’s work.”
WestportNow posted that job offers or financial assistance could be sent to editor@westportnow.com, for forwarding to Tucker.
Today, town groups jumped in to help too.
Kami Naraghi Evans reports that contributions — money, clothes, toys for his Tucker’s son, whatever — can be dropped off starting tomorrow (Friday) evening at the Westport Arts Center (51 Riverside Avenue), and at the Christ & Holy Trinity Church office (Myrtle Avenue and Church Lane), from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
WestportNow reported today that Tucker is headed to the Trumbull Mall, to pick up job applications.
Let’s hope he puts “life saver” as one of his skills.
Guardian angels come in various forms! Hope the accident victim pulls through and let’s give credit to Good Samaritan who had no obligation to do what he did!
Thank you Dan!
Thank YOU!
That warms my heart. 💞
This is a wonderful story!
Wow–an heroic individual, indeed! How can an out-of-tower like me make a contribution?
Adam
Contact editor@westportnow.com
That’s a wonderful story!!
Good Man who deserves another chance
I hope this is the beginning of an even more wonderful life! He’s got things to teach people for sure!!
I think this is just the start of the very best parts of his story, He couldn’t have helped out more helpful people than Westport, Connecticut people. Looking forward to updates and will forward to people I know in the area, You never know when someone might have an opening that suits him. Thanks for sharing this Dan. – Susan Farley
simply awesome. lets stay on top of this make sure we get his back. maybe if we get a progress update in a month or two we can hammer how to get him a job if he hasn’t found one
Dan, This man deserves another opportunity. I’d like to see a follow-up success story.
Tony
Aaron is an inspiration. He is living at Isaiah House 120 Clinton Ave. Bridgeport,CT 06601-1339. Walter Cichocki is the lead case manager there 203-367-9440; email: W.Cichocki@Isaiahprograms.org. I took some shirts and toiletries up there. It is a half-way house for men trying to get back into society. They can use all the help they can get – clothes, shoes, suits, etc. Men of Westport can clean their closets and help Isaiah House fill theirs with new or gently used items. I am sure they can use mentors and networkers as well. I have a personal belief that “men heal men.” We need to help our brothers as Aaron helped his. Lou Mall