My family would like to express our thanks to some fine people from Austin.

On our return trip to Illinois from vacation in South Dakota in late June, I hit a deer in the early morning hours east of Austin.

The car took the brunt of the damage; all family members were fine. Our first cell phone call was to Midtown Towing. Steve answered, let us know who could possibly help us on a Saturday, and later had Martin tow is into town. At the Firestone on Main, Jerry Erstad and his mechanics — Louie, Jeff and Greg — helped us get a new radiator and fan, and fixed the power steering fluid container. Dave at Car Nu towed the car and fixed the body work first, before any repair work could be done. He came in on his day off.

We assumed we’d be in town for the weekend waiting for a bodyshop to open on Monday, but all these guys worked together, never complaining, and got us back on the road to Illinois in eight hours. We are very appreciative and would like to commend them on their hard work and dedication. Thanks, again, guys, you are the best in the business.

Jennifer and Pat Herrick

Gurnee, Ill.