San Diego Highwayman gets mileage out of his altruism

It reads: "Assisting you has been my pleasure. I ask for no payment other than for you to pass on the favor by helping someone in distress that you may encounter."

Ernst assured Weller, "I will pass it on."

She was lucky. Because of wallet-bustingfuel prices, Weller has cut back his good Samaritan runs to once every three days. Weighing more than 5,600 pounds, Weller's aging rescue rig is a world-class gas-guzzler.

"I sit home on the front porch a lot," he said. "It's killing me."

Weller isn't alone. High gas prices are forcing potential do-gooders of all kinds to stay home.

Meals on Wheels and other services that depend on volunteer drivers have had to scale back. In a June survey of U.S. groups that serve the elderly, more than 70% said fuel costs had made it harder to recruit and retain volunteers.

For a while, Weller had a benefactor. An Auto Trader executive saw a television report about his good deeds and arranged to pay his fuel bills from April 2002 until budget cutbacks ended the deal.

"The best time of my career of doing this was the 17 months that I didn't have to worry about the expense," Weller said.

He started his volunteer highway rounds in 1966. Now 60, Weller figures he's helped more than 6,000 motorists. He's been interviewed plenty, including by CBS newsman Charles Kuralt, who dubbed him the "Highwayman."

But Weller isn't out for glory.

"It's what I do for excitement," said Weller, who was vague about what his avocation costs.

Weller's 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, the Hollywood nightspot that usually attracts wolves rather than family pets.

Riding in the back of Weller's vehicle is a no-go. Instead of seats, there's a carefully organized assortment of things one might need to help a motorist in a jam.

Among the items: An electronic ignition, mechanic's tool kit, hacksaw, crowbar, fire-resistant overalls and a yellow hard hat emblazoned with "San Diego Highwayman." He's also got a first-aid kit, a wheeled stretcher and a kit for delivering a baby (never used, he says, with obvious relief). On one side hangs a pair of rifles -- "a little bit of self-preservation," he says, though he hasn't had to fire them.

Much of the equipment is there "just in case," Weller said. Mostly, he helps people whose vehicles are out of gas, have a flat tire or an overheated engine. In Weller-speak, that's an OOG, FT and OH. For those, he carries gas, water, compressed air and jacks capable of lifting an ambulance or a low-rider.

His vehicle is reminiscent of the "Ectomobile," a 1959 Cadillac that carried around Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray and crew in the 1984 hit movie "Ghostbusters." Weller has embraced the comparison, even though his white chariot is a heavily modified 1955 Ford station wagon.

Weller estimates the rig has gone 600,000 miles -- the odometer broke 10 years ago -- and its lineage has blurred along the way. "Depending on which part you point to," he said, his ride also is a Mercury, Chrysler, Volkswagen, Dodge, Thunderbird and Buick, with components that date from 1955 to 1978.

The San Diego-area California Highway Patrol, which has 34 freeway service vehicles offering rush-hour assistance, doesn't condone Weller's highway hobby.