Thursday, July 17th, 2025, at 12:41 p.m. (MT), we received a request for help with an offroad recovery in Idaho. The requester, Ken Tekell, submitted the following information: “2023 Ram 1500 4×4. Transmission/computer Shifter Autocorrect has engaged and will not allow me to shift into drive. The vehicle is on (blocking) the four wheel drive road and otherwise operable. I just can’t get it to move. I have a Starlink satellite Wi-Fi system so I have access to internet and cell service / I’m with the vehicle / I can help cover the cost of fuel.”
Our administrator, Al Fontan, contacted the requester and verified the contact information provided, GPS location, and current situation before sending the request to local volunteers. In this particular recovery, we contacted volunteers within a 85-mile radius.
From the group of contacted volunteers we had a few responding to this call. We also invited the requester to our lobby chat room to make it easier to troubleshot what was happening while trying to also find somebody who could actually go in case we needed somebody assisting in person.
After conversing with a few volunteers and attempting a few remote operations on the truck, Adam Newell, a local volunteer, self-identified as engaged and, within less than 30 minutes, began heading towards Ken. Adam was situated over 130 miles away from Ken, so he was expected to arrive in approximately 2 hours.
By 6:30 p.m. we heard back from Ken, Adam, single handedly got them out.
We want to express our sincere gratitude to Adam for his exceptional work. His willingness to travel such a long distance to assist us is truly commendable. Well done!
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