San Diego Highwayman
Thomas Weller, known as the San Diego Highwayman, poses for a photo at his home in El Cajon, Calif. Weller drives along area freeways and offers help to motorists in trouble. High gas prices, however, are forcing him to cut back his Good Samaritan runs to once every three days. (Brent Foster / Los Angeles Times)
Weller’s gas-guzzling rescue rig is a heavily modified 1955 Ford station wagon. He estimates it has 600,000 miles on it; he can’t be certain because the odometer broke 10 years ago. (Brent Foster / Los Angeles Times)
Among the knickknacks inside Weller’s vehicle is a miniature version of the 1959 Cadillac that carried around Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray and crew in the 1984 hit movie Ghostbusters. Weller has embraced his rig’s comparison to the “Ectomobile.” (Brent Foster / Los Angeles Times)
Weller helps a stranded motorist in San Diego in early July. Mostly, he helps people who are out of gas, have a flat tire or an overheated engine. (Brent Foster / Los Angeles Times)
Weller started his volunteer highway rounds in 1966. Now 60, he figures he has helped more than 6,000 motorists. (Brent Foster / Los Angeles Times)
The San Diego-area California Highway Patrol, which has 34 freeway service vehicles offering rush-hour assistance, doesnt condone Wellers highway hobby of helping people. Its obviously very dangerous, a CHP spokesman said. But this is a guy who does this on his own, with his heart in the right place. (Brent Foster / Los Angeles Times)
Weller once convinced a family to leave their broken-down car and stand behind a freeway pillar, saving them from a crash that killed the other driver and caused their vehicle to explode. (Brent Foster / Los Angeles Times)
Inspiritational words are posted inside Weller’s rescue rig. He has been interviewed many times, including by CBS newsman Charles Kuralt, who dubbed him the Highwayman. But he isnt out for glory. Its what I do for excitement, Weller says. (Brent Foster / Los Angeles Times)
Wellers usual companion is Shela, a black-and-white mix of Labrador retriever and smooth collie. Weller describes her as a person in a fur suit who once charmed her way into a party at the Viper Room, a Hollywood nightspot. (Brent Foster / Los Angeles Times)
