Northeast Oklahomans come to the aid of 'Good Samaritan'

Tuesday, we told you about a Good Samaritan who got a ticket from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol while pulling stranded drivers out of the snowdrifts along US Highway 169 on Sunday. <br><br>That story hit

Wednesday, February 26th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Tuesday, we told you about a Good Samaritan who got a ticket from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol while pulling stranded drivers out of the snowdrifts along US Highway 169 on Sunday.

That story hit a nerve. News on 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright has our follow up. "This is absolutely ridiculous." Did we get an earful from viewers after our story. â€œI just wanted to say I'm upset over the man getting a ticket for pulling people out of the ditch." People from all over Green Country called. "I want to express my concern over the man getting a ticket for pulling people out."

And, they emailed, too, RL said he'd organize people to go Jones' court date. Jeff said, give Mr. Jones and â€˜Aâ€™ for his efforts and another asks, what kind of world do we live in now a days. Even 106.9 KHITS radio picked up the story. People offered to sign petitions, protest, and even pay the $117 dollar ticket Doug Jones got while pulling people out of snowy ditches over the weekend.

Jim Rice with Abertson Towing "I watched the guy in the interview and my heart went out to him. We don't want Mr. Jones to have any more duress. We don't want him to take off work to fight this ticket, so, we're going to pay it for him and thank him for stopping and helping this lady."

As for Doug, he's overwhelmed by this show of support. "It wasn't about the ticket, it was more about the way I was treated." The trooper who wrote the ticket says Jones had been warned that his helping was causing a safety hazard, but Jones says that's not true. "I would probably do it again. I'm not for bucking against law enforcement, cause they have a job to do, but, if I saw someone in need, I would help."

And, that seems to be the type of attitude many people feel we need more of these days, rather than less. A man who was helping Jones also got a ticket. Tulsa attorney Kent Hudson has offered to pay that man's ticket or represent him in fighting the ticket, for free.

Again, the OHP says they support Good Samaritans helping others, but, when that help becomes a roadside hazard, they must step in and stop it.