A trucker pulled over to help when he saw a car in a ditch off to the side of the road. But instead of being a rescuer, he ended up a victim.
An unnamed trucker was driving on I-29 in Holt County, Missouri. At around the 85-mile marker he saw a car in a ditch on the side of the road. So, he pulled his truck over, and went to go help.
Inside the car he found 26-year-old Jessica Koontz and her young daughter. He brought Koontz and her daughter back to his truck to wait for the authorities. Once they were inside however, Koontz allegedly pulled a flare gun and threatened both the driver and the girl. She told the trucker to keep driving.
“At that point, basically a hostage-type situation occurred,” said Sgt. Corey Root of the Missouri State Highway Patrol according to the St. Joseph News-Press. “She took her daughter — we believe it was her daughter — almost as a hostage to get the truck driver to drive her north on Interstate 29.”
The three of them drove another 26 miles before law enforcement arrived.
The driver exited the vehicle, but Koontz and the girl remained inside for a long time. The officers were eventually able to take the flare gun from Koontz and arrested her. Her daughter was taken into the care of the Atchison County Department of Family Services.
According to Sgt. Root, officials aren’t sure what prompted the incident, adding that Koontz did not have any active warrants.
Koontz was arrested and charged with felony assault, felony first-degree kidnapping and armed criminal action. She was transported to a local hospital.
Source: overdrive, newspressnow, newspressnow, kmaland, kmaland
Roel Trevino says
First all I am glad that , no one got hurt.just let you know truckers are some people in the world.. we will always stop and render aid when needed.. blessings to the trucker..
Brian Jones says
Wow..!!!…I hate to say this but that’s why I don’t stop and I mind my own business unfortunately..
Glenn says
^ yep me to. Wasn’t as much of an issue back in the good ole days trucking in the 90’s even in the 90s as it is now days. Different times, different world.
Glenn says
Sorry, meant 80s.
Calvin says
True. Especially now a days, in this environment!! If anything, I’d pull over “if” it looks real bad, use cell & or (ole time it) use CB to, notify authorities! Mostly everyone has a cell so…, “KNIGHT OF THE ROAD(S)”, we aren’t looked at anymore. Folks r scared/suspicious of one another, shooting all willy nilly etc etc so ……, TAKE CARE/BE CAREFUL!!
Douglas Kirk says
Why waste time on the CB? You could holler for help all day and never get a reply…
I can’t remember the last time I even heard of a cop with a CB
Dale Wagner says
Right on! No authorities monitor Channel 9 anymore
Charles h. says
Yep no county react either…
359 says
Very sad to here this behavior
Keith says
That’s the truth
David Hendrickson says
try Oklahoma….in every car
Tommy Z says
No way to tell who’s who anymore…
Kevin Johnson says
Why would you put your daughter in that situation, now you lock up and want be able to see your daughter for a while
Misheal says
Sounds like mental health issues more than anything.
ChromeGetsYouHome says
I believe it’s called meth, Kevin. What a sad situation she put her own daughter and the good Samaritan driver in.
Christopher Wright says
Funny story but….I guess that’s the last person that driver helping.
Douglas Kirk says
And what, pray tell, could possibly be funny about this? The girl was obviously not straight mentally….
Dude was lucky, as was the kid
Tony says
What’s so damn funny about the story it was bad for a fellow truck driver an especially for a kid
Walter Larkin jr says
I agree with you guys, when I got out of the military in 1985 was told by seasoned driver’s it was the respectful thing to do. But when the crazy people was let out beginning of the 90’s I mind my own business.
Simon says
Am a driver, and it’s not worth putting our lives at risk this world has gotten more dangerous. I just can’t see stopping and helping anymore and that’s bad even truck stops are dangerous. Take care Driver’s
Dave Logan says
I enjoy small talking to people, all over the country, and it seems that everywhere i go, when i ask “do u have a drug problem around here?” the answer is always “yes.” in addition, it seems that there are so many people on the govt dole. I stopped in some rural area of KS, and the local guy pointed over to the only clump of housing and said “all of them are on welfare.”
I miss the “good ole days”, for sure.
Buck says
Should have just banged her and dumped her off.
Sher says
You’re a poor excuse for a man Buck, remarks like that are why truck drivers are viewed as trash.
Deaconblues62 says
And women who accuse men for doing that anyway but it’s a Lie, are also looked at as trash.
mousekiller says
Over the last 20 or so years the willingness to help has dropped. Remember back in Barbara Walters time on 60 minutes when the only drivers they interviewed on TV to were the ones that looked like the ones you didn’t want to meet in a dark alley? How the media scared every one with the one trucker that killed women and dumped them in or around truck stops or rest areas. That was about the time we lost the title of Knights of the Road. Respect for truckers has since progressed down hill. Not really the drivers fault but the media and we ( Some ) drivers helped it along. Look at drivers today. Need I say more? You will find bad people in every line of work and profession. We are the ones every one sees every time they see a truck going down the road.No one else but us can fix it.
DJ says
Well said mousekiller.
Mr Magoo says
You sir hit the nail on the head.well said I agree whole harted sad state
David Hendrickson says
There were 3 serial killers that happened to be truckers back then. ! worked the east coast north to south and the other 2 were east to est on I-80 and I-40 if my old brain is a workin.
Charles h. says
Ya Barbara Walters…
I swore if i ever saw her broke down on side of road I’d give her the bird..Evil back stabbing :#$\,:!$%
Gwin says
I couldn’t agree more, Sher. Sickening.
charli says
Big Bubba says you’re awful cute boy…. 😂😂😂
Martin E Neltner says
Wrong answers people. Stop, call , put up flares . Safety devices. Don t move person. You are not trained to do that. Always stop to render assistance. One bad experience does not shut down professional drivers. You are the first responder.
Steven George says
I have helped thousands of people over the 34 years of driving. I always try to be a good samaritan. This woman is a dingbat nut Job. I will continue to be a good samaritan. If I die because of a crazy person at least I can make my maker knowing I did everything I can to be a good person. Just my view
Jason says
Thousands? You sure about that? 34 years is 12,410 days. Factoring in days off, vacation time, sick days, etc…so you must’ve stopped to help someone every single day you were out driving? Must’ve been some horrible paychecks.
Barney says
Lol
Bigc says
He ment like opening doors and things like that
Anthony Thompson says
Funny that guy Steven is a big lier
ShadowCat says
Excellent response and attitude sir!!
Earl Chauncey says
I try to stop and help any time I see some one needing help I cant count on my hands the times I’ve stopped to help its always turned out good for the victim so I gust that I will keep helping if it turns bad for me will ill just take that chance only because I’ve been there and a trucker stopped and helped me and I’m not going to miss the chance to one day return the same help for him
Thanks driver.
R H says
I imagine the driver was charged a preventable, terminated and black balled via DAC.
Charles h. says
Dac what a joke..
John says
This is why it is wrong to help stranded people on the side of the road. This is why companies have policies against doing so don’t help them. They have cell phones let them call for help.
R.J. says
Everyone has a cell phone these days.
I mind my own business and mush on.
Tommy Molnar says
Problem is, if someone is REALLY in trouble on the highway, they expect truckers to stop and help. And when we don’t, we’re also scum. Damned if we do, damned if we don’t. Stayin’ alive is now what’s important to us.
Tom says
I’d rather be live scum than dead meat.
Moose says
Why is it important to stay alive? All you do is keep working yourself to death and for what?… just to sustain a corrupt government who couldn’t care less if you live or die, just as long as you keep paying you taxes, even after death!
jakk says
Thumbs up dude!!!
Jeff says
Not stopping, sorry. I will, however, call the police as I’m passing by so they at least get some help.
Danny says
Can’t trust anyone nowadays, unfortunately you have to keep going and mind your own move, be safe out there!
Jerry says
Grab your phone dial 911 tell them what you see and keep trucking. Let them give her a ride
Charles h. says
Don’t dial 911 south of houston they will ask what business is of yours..
Jeffery Buford says
Wow, sometimes you want to stop to
Help but you have to second guess it
Because you just don’t know what you
Are walking into…
Sherilyn says
I stop for no one unless it’s another truck. Even then, it could still be bad. I am pretty particular. I call 911 for the others.
Montana says
This story doesn’t make any sense written poorly, raises more guestions than it Answers!!!
Joseph Smith says
If someone has a troubled life and goes into the system. The government wants to put them on psychotropic drugs that destroy their brains, chemical lobotomy. Even young children are lobotomized because they get bored in class.
allen says
So, how did the police know to stop them 26 miles away from the scene?
Tim Mitchell says
allen – That’s exactly what I was wondering, maybe he called them before he got outt of his truck?
Brian says
I saw a lady carrying a baby late after the midnight hour walking on a ramp into i85. I’ve minded my business, went down about a mile, pulled over and called the authorities. What a crazy world we live in? Smh
Sharon says
I wondered the same thing. Even went back and read the article twice to see if I missed something.
Sherrie says
The “Show Me” state! She showed him just how psycho she was. No good deed goes unpunished!
Hunnerbunner says
Waiting for her to cry “#metoo”.
P says
Is she single???
Josh says
What in the methamphetamines happened?
Mali says
So the question to us truckers is are we because of one really bad apple, going to become less a force for change and become or remain part of the problem.
Craig says
At this time in America your safety is first and unluckily all others secondary, slow and check for victims call 911 and drive on. This is just another example of why doing the right and morally responsible thing puts your safety in jeopardy.
allen glazer says
I saw a motorcycle in front of me kept my eye on him driveing for swift at the time across northern United States it started hailing. Big and hard I pulled up in front of him off the edge of the exit I signaled to him to come inside the truck until the hail stopped kept him safe he was very grateful if someone needs help I help no matter what!! Sorry for your trouble you did the honorable thing your a good person don’t let anything change that good people are beautiful human beings stay safe and continue to care
Justanothermother says
God Bless You!! You are clearly a good person! I’m glad you’re not going to stop helping because you just never know when you’re actions might save someone’s life.
Robert says
My Nephew picked up a woman in the rain in wash st. She took his cell phone started asking for money and rides to different places. She threw his hat out the window. He pulled over and forcable pulled her out gave her her purse and left. She sat there an a cop pulled up. She told cop her tried to rape her. Cops got his hat and 3 years later came to his house to arrest him for attempted rape. DNA off his hair. He tried to fight it and still got a yr in jail cuz he had a record. Not for ever hurting a women.
Giovanni Socci says
I learned not to give rides to any one,I tried helping a woman on the side of the road,car broke down to take her 50 miles to her town,I was driving thru it anyway,what harm could it be? then I noticed halfway thru it,she was mentally unstable,I made it to the town, dropped her off at the truck stop,and I swore I d never pick up a hitchhiker or help any one on the side of the road( I have a couple of those stories too),I will call 911,but I WILL NEVER EVER get personally involved,touch or talk to the people involved,if you do,you are only one mistake away from a lawsuit,or a meritless accusation that you may have to defend in court.
Kevin Chevalier says
That’s the kind of world we live in one of our own makings, aggressive inpatient
angry hate filled inhuman uncivilized animals and it’s only going to get worse.
Robert E Rosser says
I’ve stopped several times to help people out, especially if I see they are the elderly, but one big no no is to put them in my rig. I’ve helped change tires and called for tow trucks and police, but since the 70’s and 80’s I’ve been cautious of anyone on the roadside. As I said before elderly people usually do not have ulterior motives nor the suspicions of those individuals born after the 1960’s. I’ve been thanked and often offered money for my assistance, I take the thanks but not the money, it is my duty as a Christian to help those in need, but at the same time I am careful on who I help and how.
Giovanni Socci says
I don t stop and help,I stopped doing that after two bad experiences,if they are going to die,they are going to die,nothing I do will stop that,why should we even interfere with nature? when your number is up,that s it.
Whatever says
Really!?!
You believe everything you read!
Know her side before you judge!
You don’t stop because you are selfish and lazy…and afraid.
And because they refuse your unwanted sexual advances, now they are unstable?! The police need to change their ridiculous policy of believing the one who dials 911!!
Deadeyetrucker says
I’ve stopped for several people over the years and given the aide necessary.
But it has to be the right situation to actually be needed.
Down here in the states I rarely do, but my guard is up and I’m armed.
This story typifies the narrative of what can go wrong.
Hence the sidearm
There seems to be a lot of very desperate people out here looking for a quick buck.
All I got to say
This hillbilly ain’t no damn victim.
Justanothermother says
I rode on the truck with my ex for almost a year, and in that time there were several incidents when I was stranded or needed help. I thank God that there were good people around who were willing to help me out. However, I did not ever try and hold any of them hostage or disrespect them in any way lol.
I do have one question for all the people saying she did this because of meth…..Where in that article was there any mention of drugs of any kind? Wouldn’t she have been charged with possession if that was the case? I just hate how people read whatever they want to into an incident and put their opinion out there like it’s true.
T Barron says
This is why you never let anyone into you truck! You call emergency services and then make sure that everything is ok. Don’t touch them and unless they are in full need of medical help, I have helped out so many people over my 25 years and I would never let anyone get into my truck. I would always call 911 and then go see what is going on.