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The Good Samaritan – customer service at its best

Of all the things done by the Idaho Transportation Department, improving customer service sits at the top of the list. So it is encouraging when one of our citizens takes the time to express gratitude for the great service - punctuated by kindness and compassion - done by one of our employees:

Comment via ITD Facebook Aug. 15:

To whom it may concern,
I don't know if writing this will make a difference, but one of your employees certainly made a difference to me today.

I was riding my motorcycle from Rexburg to Idaho Falls on U.S. Highway 20 (the Thornton Interchange is looking good by the way) and I ran out of gas just before the southbound Rigby exit (Exit 320).

Luckily, I was able to coast to the exit ramp and tried to start my bike again, but to no avail. So, in my full gear on a 90-degree day with a 30-pound pack on my back, I started pushing my motorcycle up the off-ramp.

I'm a small guy, with health problems, so pushing this bike isn't the easiest thing in the world for me.

Dozens of cars passed by, and no one stopped. Even a county sheriff passed me, without so much as a glance. Then a man named Daryl pulled up in his work truck and asked if I needed a ride to the gas station, half a mile away.

"In this heat," he said, "no one should be walking around out here, let alone pushing a motorcycle up a hill."
It turned out that one of Daryl's sons has cerebral palsy like I do.

We had a great visit as we drove to the service station. When we arrived and borrowed a gas can from the attendant, I realized I had left my wallet in a bag on my motorcycle. Daryl didn't shy away from stepping up for me and filling the small gas can we had borrowed.

After fueling my motorcycle, I went to start the engine and the battery was dead due to me trying to keep it started earlier. Daryl got a pair of jumper cables, and I finally was able to get back on my way. Sadly, I don't know Daryl's last name. He could also spell it Darrell.

This Good Samaritan was mid-to late-50s, with salt-and-pepper hair. He seemed to know the Rigby area well. At least he knew who owned the gas station where we stopped. I'm not sure if this is enough to even find out who he is, but thank you for having at least one great employee – a person who was kind and wise enough to stop and help a stranger in his time of need.

Sincerely,
Tanner Woolstenhulme

Editor's Note: The Good Samaritan was Transportation Technician Senior Darryl Pinnock (pictured at right), of Rigby maintenance, who is to be warmly commended for his thoughtful, conscientious, customer service. Well done, Darryl!