An ex-convict working hard to turn his life around recently sacrificed a much-needed job interview when he chose to rush to the aid of a man who was hurt in a serious car crash.
Aaron Tucker was on a public bus traveling to his interview when he noticed an overturned car and immediately bolted off of the bus to help rescue the driver — a move that led him to miss his chance at the job.
But, despite losing that opportunity, Tucker’s brave act has scores of locals in Connecticut praising his heroism and stepping up to help him get on his feet, as WABC-TV reported.
Tucker, who is the father of a 21-month-old son and who has been living in a halfway house since June after serving two years in prison on a weapons charge, doesn’t see himself as a hero per se, but, instead, believes he simply did what had to be done.
After he exited the bus and rushed to the overturned car, he and two other individuals from a local repair shop helped pull the 61-year-old victim out of the vehicle.
Despite missing his job interview, he has no regrets.
“Someone needed my help, and that’s what I did. I helped them,” he told WABC. “It’s all right to hear people saying I’m a hero, that’s their point of view. But to me, if it happened again, I’m going to continue to do it, because it’s the right thing.”
ABC News later reported that the prospective employer agreed to reschedule the interview for this past Saturday, though it is unclear if that unfolded.
The story has inspired locals in Westport, Connecticut, like Karin Dale, who has put together a GoFundMe campaign to help raise money for Tucker, an effort that has already brought in more than $50,000.
A description of the fundraiser sheds more light on Tucker’s life:
On July 12, Aaron was on a bus from his halfway house in Bridgeport to Norwalk for a job interview. There was a very serious car crash and despite the fact the bus driver said he wouldn’t be able to reboard, Aaron got off the bus and with the help of three employees of Vautrin Auto Services, rescued the injured man. Aaron went so far as to take the new shirt off his back and wrap it around the injured man’s head.
Aaron is the kind of man who should be celebrated. While others stood around and took video, he jumped into action and helped.
Aaron, despite not having a father in his life as a child, is dedicated to his son, and wants to make a good life for Aaron Jr and his mother. His voice shines when he talks about his Mickey Mouse loving son. Please help with contributions to get this family on their feet. Aaron is still in need of a job, so feel free to reach out if you have one to offer him.
Dale said she hadn’t met Tucker before the incident and that she created the fundraiser merely because she was moved by his story. After hearing about his bravery, she reached out to the halfway house to ask if she could set the fundraiser up.
Tucker said he’s incredibly grateful for the kind gesture. Read more about the ordeal here.