Archive · 9 Aug 2026
A cherished tribute to Good Samaritans on an American highway
This story is about a man who was traveling in America many years ago.
It was his fifty-first birthday, and he was on a trip with friends.
On a big highway called Interstate 75, their car suddenly broke down.
Nobody stopped to help, which was scary.
Then a kind couple named Mike and Cathy Buker pulled over to help them.
Even though their car was already full, they made room for everyone and drove them to the next stop.
They said they believed God had sent them to help people in need.
The next day, they sent an email to make sure everyone got home safely.
Many years later, the man found a couple with the same name on the internet and learned that Michael had passed away in 2023.
He wrote this story to thank them and to show that kindness from strangers is something you never forget.
On August 8, 1999, the narrator's vehicle broke down near Williamstown on Interstate 75 during the journey from Cincinnati to Lexington.
Mike and Cathy Buker, members of the Church of God, stopped to help and took the stranded travellers to the next exit.
The couple sent an email the next day to check that the travellers had reached their destination safely.
Decades later, the narrator found online references to Michael and Cathy Buker of Parkway Ministries Church of God in Corbin, Kentucky.
Michael Lee Buker died on August 6, 2023, aged 70, and the narrator believes, though cannot confirm, he was the same Good Samaritan.
- Who
- The narrator, his friend VR Gannamraju and Gannamraju's two children, who were rescued by Mike and Cathy Buker.
- What
- The narrator's vehicle broke down on Interstate 75 and a passing couple helped them; the narrator later wrote a tribute to them.
- When
- August 8, 1999, on the narrator's 51st birthday; the tribute follows Michael Lee Buker's death on August 6, 2023.
- Where
- Interstate 75 near Williamstown, on the leg of the journey between Cincinnati and Lexington (Ohio–Kentucky).
- Why
- To honour the unexpected kindness of strangers who helped when the travellers were stranded.
- Date of breakdown
- August 8, 1999
- Occasion
- Narrator's 51st birthday
- Location
- Interstate 75 near Williamstown
- Route
- Cincinnati to Lexington (about 100 miles)
- Helpers
- Mike and Cathy Buker, members of the Church of God
- Follow-up
- Email from the Bakers the next day asking if they arrived safely
- Later discovery
- Michael and Cathy Buker of Parkway Ministries Church of God, Corbin, Kentucky
- Michael Lee Buker's passing
- August 6, 2023, aged 70