Financial Hardship After Kidnapped
Donation protected
Hello, my name is Jack and early in the morning of Friday, July 22nd, I was kidnapped. Waiting for me in the back seat of my truck was a man who told me he had a knife and that he was going to kill me.
It was about 1:45 a.m. when I started packing my tools into the trailer. I like saving my clients money so I had been working pro bono late nights on this kitchen remodel. We were trying to complete the project by that following Saturday the 23rd and this was just another late night among many over the past 3 weeks.
Once I finished loading the trailer, I opened the gates to my client's property and started to pull onto the street. Suddenly, and very calmly, a man told me that he was going to kill me. He didn't ask for money or to be taken anywhere. He just made me drive.
I was so scared. All I kept thinking was that this is it. This is how I die.
We drove around for what seemed like forever. I found out later it was about 2 hours. He directed me to the highway, then on a few back roads and ultimately, on a loop. The first part of the loop was a well-lit residential part of town.
Then we went down a very dark street with no lights or homes. I flipped out! I wanted to jump from the truck right then and there but we were going too fast.
We made the loop again and again. During the last pass through the darkest area, he said, "Stop." I slowed to a roll and thought this was my chance. As quickly as I could I ripped my seatbelt off, opened the door and jumped. Stumbling a bit at first, I caught my balance and started running in the opposite direction. I grabbed my phone, which had unfortunately been in my back pocket the entire time, and called the first person whom came to mind. My wife!
If this was the end, there was only one voice I wanted to hear.
There was a loud boom and crunch sound coming from behind me. My truck had wrecked but I didn't dare look back. Maybe the man had also jumped and was just steps behind me! I ran and ran, sobbing uncontrollably to my wife.
She was in hysterics, too. She told me to call 911 and I did. The 911 dispatch told me to stay put and that officers were on their way, but I just kept running. Eventually I found a well-lit crossroads to rest in while I waited for the police and my wife to arrive.
Since beginning my business late last year, I have fallen on hard times. Running any business is stressful. For example, my very first client refused to pay for a completed job. I thought about hiring an attorney but I couldn’t afford one or afford to take time off work for claims court.
Now this tragedy. I felt I had no choice but to jump from my truck. Who knows what he may have done?
I feel defeated. I am short on funds to pay the truck deductible. My trailer was damaged in the wreck as well and I can’t afford to have it repaired. Also, as a result of the wreck, several of my high dollar tools (not covered by insurance) were damaged.
As a contractor, I believe in using the "right tool for the job.” Without these tools I cannot do the high quality work my clients have come to know and expect.
I need help getting back on my feet financially. Your donation will help cover the costs of my deductibles, repair my trailer, and repair or replace the tools I need to do high quality work.
Above all, you are helping me put this tragic time behind me. Any new business is fragile and mine is no exception, so know your donation releases a heavy financial burden, allowing me to focus on getting better emotionally and back to the work I love!
Bless you and thank you,
Jack
It was about 1:45 a.m. when I started packing my tools into the trailer. I like saving my clients money so I had been working pro bono late nights on this kitchen remodel. We were trying to complete the project by that following Saturday the 23rd and this was just another late night among many over the past 3 weeks.
Once I finished loading the trailer, I opened the gates to my client's property and started to pull onto the street. Suddenly, and very calmly, a man told me that he was going to kill me. He didn't ask for money or to be taken anywhere. He just made me drive.
I was so scared. All I kept thinking was that this is it. This is how I die.
We drove around for what seemed like forever. I found out later it was about 2 hours. He directed me to the highway, then on a few back roads and ultimately, on a loop. The first part of the loop was a well-lit residential part of town.
Then we went down a very dark street with no lights or homes. I flipped out! I wanted to jump from the truck right then and there but we were going too fast.
We made the loop again and again. During the last pass through the darkest area, he said, "Stop." I slowed to a roll and thought this was my chance. As quickly as I could I ripped my seatbelt off, opened the door and jumped. Stumbling a bit at first, I caught my balance and started running in the opposite direction. I grabbed my phone, which had unfortunately been in my back pocket the entire time, and called the first person whom came to mind. My wife!
If this was the end, there was only one voice I wanted to hear.
There was a loud boom and crunch sound coming from behind me. My truck had wrecked but I didn't dare look back. Maybe the man had also jumped and was just steps behind me! I ran and ran, sobbing uncontrollably to my wife.
She was in hysterics, too. She told me to call 911 and I did. The 911 dispatch told me to stay put and that officers were on their way, but I just kept running. Eventually I found a well-lit crossroads to rest in while I waited for the police and my wife to arrive.
Since beginning my business late last year, I have fallen on hard times. Running any business is stressful. For example, my very first client refused to pay for a completed job. I thought about hiring an attorney but I couldn’t afford one or afford to take time off work for claims court.
Now this tragedy. I felt I had no choice but to jump from my truck. Who knows what he may have done?
I feel defeated. I am short on funds to pay the truck deductible. My trailer was damaged in the wreck as well and I can’t afford to have it repaired. Also, as a result of the wreck, several of my high dollar tools (not covered by insurance) were damaged.
As a contractor, I believe in using the "right tool for the job.” Without these tools I cannot do the high quality work my clients have come to know and expect.
I need help getting back on my feet financially. Your donation will help cover the costs of my deductibles, repair my trailer, and repair or replace the tools I need to do high quality work.
Above all, you are helping me put this tragic time behind me. Any new business is fragile and mine is no exception, so know your donation releases a heavy financial burden, allowing me to focus on getting better emotionally and back to the work I love!
Bless you and thank you,
Jack
Organizer
Jack Williams
Organizer
Newport, KY