A Manteca delivery man who went to the aid of a mortally injured motorcycle rider Saturday evening on Highway 99 had his car stripped and towed after the fleeing suspect abandoned it in Delhi.

Jesse Lemos works for Center Appliance on North Main Street in Manteca. He was on his way home when the incident unfolded just south of Yosemite Avenue.  Acting as a Good Samaritan would cost him his car on his way to work from his home in Winton.  After seeing the woman thrown to the pavement, he jumped out of his car and went to her aid with the suspect taking the opportunity to get behind the wheel of his car and driving away southbound.

The 1996 Nissan Sentra was only worth about $1,000 but it was all he and his wife had for transportation.  With an infant son they live with the man’s mother in an attempt to make ends meet, a colleague said Thursday morning.

Police did not have the car towed after the pursuit ended and it was stripped at roadside.  Its windshield was smashed as well as both front and back bumpers and rearview mirrors were taken.  He was quoted as saying Thursday that a stolen car report had not been taken from him. 

The Always Tow Co. in Livingston called Lemos to say they had his car in storage.  The cost to bail it out was $285 cash.  The car was ferried to his home, but he said it is in no shape to be on the road.