One Locked Car Door Away From Becoming A “Dateline” Special
It was a cold morning in November when I was headed to work and blew out a tire. I safely navigated the car to the side of the interstate — for which I’m very thankful — and put my hazard lights on. With no spare tire in my trunk, I called roadside assistance and got an ETA, and then I called work to tell them I would be in as soon as possible.
As it was not quite 4:00 am, it was still dark. I was waiting for the tow truck when a man wearing raggedy clothes and covered in dirt knocked on my window. I have seen way too many movies to just trust someone who walks up to my car.
Me: “Yes?”
He motioned for me to put the window down.
Me: “Are you with [Wrong Towing Company]?”
Man: “Yeah. Open the door.”
Me: “Go away.”
I purposely named the wrong company to see if he would correct me. When he didn’t, I started filming. The man pounded on the window and tried to open the door, which I had already locked. My voice was still calm and firm but my heart was racing.
Man: “You f****** b****! Open up!”
Me: “You need to leave.”
Man: “I’m with [Wrong Towing Company]! Now open the door!”
Me: “So, where’s your tow truck?”
Man: “Open the door!”
He kicked my car’s panel and pounded the window.
Me: “The police are on their way.”
This was a lie, but the man left. I watched him in my mirror as he crossed the divider to the other side of traffic and disappeared into the woods beyond.
When roadside assistance arrived, I told them about the encounter. The man driving the tow truck drove me to an auto shop to get a new tire and then to the police station to make a report before taking me back to my house.
The man outside my car was known in the area, apparently homeless and addicted to drugs. I never heard anything more about him, so I assume he’s still out there somewhere.
