SDDOT employee’s good deed gets social media attention - Dakota News Now

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - A social media post from the South Dakota Department of Transportation has received thousands of reactions. That post shows a highway maintenance worker helping a stranded motorist on a cold and icy day earlier this month.

“I was out plowing. It was really cold that day and the wind was starting to pick up and the road was starting to ice up. I saw two ladies broke down on the side of the road and the one was having trouble getting the tire off, so I stopped because things get icier and it gets more dangerous,” said Jeff Protzman, a SDDOT Highway Maintenance Worker.

Rachel Casper and her sister were driving from Sioux City, Iowa, to Sioux Falls to pick up their mother from the airport when suddenly they had a flat tire on I-29. Their only help was over an hour away.

“We had initially called my brother-in-law, who was driving to us from Sioux City, so that was going to take some time. While we waited, we kept attempting to loosen the lug nuts and that’s when our hero arrived,” said Casper.

“The lug nuts were pretty tight, so I did get them broke loose and stuff and I helped her jack up the car and everything. I could tell she was getting really cold and I told her a couple times to get back in the car, but she just wanted to stay right there next to me,” said Protzman.

Protzman was able to get the spare tire on the car, and Casper and her sister were safely back on the road.

“I was so thankful right away, and he was so humble and willing to help. That’s just what he said, ‘That’s what I’m here for. I’m here to help,’” said Casper.

Not wanting a good deed to go unnoticed, Casper sent a photo to the South Dakota Department of Transportation as a thank you. That photo, posted on the department’s Facebook page, has since racked up over 1,000 comments and over 26,000 reactions. That caught the humble SDDOT employee by surprise.

“I’m very appreciative to all the nice comments. I was just really surprised by the traction on this, but I guess everybody needs something good to hold onto,” said Protzman.

“I think what Jeff did by helping out this driver is what we see of all our highway maintenance workers. They see someone in need, they’re going to help out,” said SDDOT Director of Operations Craig Smith.

For her part, Casper is happy that her hero is getting some well-deserved attention.

“I know the job that Jeff does can be a thankless job at times. My dad was a heavy equipment operator and also worked snowplow for secondary roads. So, when Jeff pulled up, it just immediately made me think of my dad and I was just so thankful for his kindness and his help. I did not want that job to be thankless that day,” said Casper.

“I’m out there for a reason, and like I told the lady that da,y I said ‘There’s no accidental, like, I see you, I ran into you, whatever, you know. I believe we meet each other for a reason,” said Protzman.