Internet Rallies Behind Fired Toll Booth Worker

A toll booth collector named Vladislav Samsonov — but goes by Sam — in Boca Grande, Fl, was fired for helping someone out.

Samsonov, a military veteran who had worked at the booth for 29 years, said he was fired for covering someone’s toll fee out of his own pocket. NBC2 reports that Samsonov realized he had charged a truck driver too little and covered the difference with his own money — something he had occasionally done in the past when drivers were short on cash. “In my eyes there was no crime committed, I just helped somebody out,” he told the outlet. “I’d put the six dollars in, I got the six dollars back the next day.”

His former employer, the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority, told NBC2 that they couldn’t comment on the issue.

When Samsonov’s daughter Patricia posted what had happened to Facebook, hundreds of people shared the story and offered kind words and fond memories of the beloved toll booth worker.

For his part, Samsonov told NBC2 he was overwhelmed with the support, saying, “Makes me feel good, makes me want to cry.”

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