Alex Reede says he's been touched by the generosity of people who responded to his story about totalling his car two weeks ago — and offered up replacement cars.
The incident happened before dawn on Highway 20 in Pointe Claire on Oct. 26, when the Vaudreuil-Dorion man was on his way to work. Two pedestrians wandered onto the eastbound portion of the highway at around 4:45 a.m., and Reede was forced to swerve out of their way.
As he did, he crashed into another car, and suffered bruised ribs. But both cars were beyond repair.
Reede and his wife need two cars to get to their respective jobs, and not having one could have meant that he might have had to give up his job.
His insurance company wouldn't cover the loss, because he only had one-way insurance.
But after the story was picked up by the media — including CJAD 800's Aaron Rand, who interviewed him a few days after the crash — good things started happening.
"Basically, I got offers for three cars," he says. "The second one was from you guys, which I took."
Following Reede's CJAD 800 interview, an anonymous donor called in and offered Reede a used car. It apparently needs some bodywork, to the point where, Reede says, two mechanics refused to service it, fearing that it would be damaged once it was mounted. But the car gets him from point A to point B.
"A guy called in after the Aaron Rand show and offered the car," he says "It seems to be fragile to put on a lift, and I've had it since Thursday of last week, but it's working for now."
There was also an online crowdfunding campaign which raised $650, which covered the impound fee and gave him some money left over.
Reede, the father of two autistic boys, says he's overwhelmed and pleasantly surprised with the support he's been getting from perfect strangers.
"I'm very overwhelmed," he says. "I didn't expect any help. Happy to see there are still people out there who are willing to help out others in need."
He says the car is a temporary solution, but will allow him to keep getting to his job.
"I want to thank everybody that stepped in and helped out." Reede says. "If it wasn't for CJAD I wouldn't have this car."