‘They needed help’: P.A. business owner lends his car to complete strangers

By Derek Craddock

A Prince Albert business owner said it was the right thing to do when a couple heading to Saskatoon needed a vehicle.

Ron Miller, who owns the Taco Time on Second Avenue West, was in the restaurant on Sunday afternoon when a collision happened nearby.

“On 17th Street, the truck was basically in the intersection and the car turned right in front of them,” Miller said. “So they hit the car on the right front fender. (That) sent the car flying into Minute Muffler, (but it) came back on the street and took off. A guy in our drive-thru chased him to Wesmor School. The guy got out of the car and ran.”

Miller left the restaurant to speak to the couple in the truck who were completely distraught. They were on their way to Saskatoon for their grandson’s birthday but now had no vehicle, as the truck was undrivable.

That’s when Miller offered his personal vehicle for them to drive.

“They were both in shock and in tears and I said, ‘You can take my car. You can take the car to Saskatoon and I can pick it up next week,’ ” he said.

Miller picked up the car on Tuesday. The couple were so thrilled at the kind gesture, they even tried to offer Miller money, which he turned down.

“It’s not why I did it. I did it because they needed help; it’s as simple as that,” Miller said. “That’s the way the world is supposed to be.”

Brad Craig was heading to the restaurant to pick up lunch on Sunday. At around noon he noticed ambulance lights around Second Avenue and 17th Street West. He parked his vehicle and ordered his lunch inside when he heard about what was happening.

“As I was waiting, Ron was out talking to this couple, and I heard another gentleman in the back saying how he found out this couple was going to Saskatoon,” Craig said. “Ron was over there cleaning his car out to give to them.”

Craig eventually posted what he saw and heard on Facebook, adding this is why people should support local business.

“I don’t usually post on Facebook, but I figured that deserved a shoutout because people don’t really look out for each other anymore,” he said. “Not too many people would do that for somebody.”