Snowy roads bring out Michiana’s ‘Jeep Squad’ to help stranded drivers

ST. JOSPEH COUNTY, Ind. -- With snow falling across Michiana and slick roads causing drivers to slide off into ditches, a group of local Jeep owners is stepping up to help — free of charge.

The group, known as the “Jeep Squad,” spends snowy evenings patrolling the roads, offering to pull out stranded vehicles when winter weather strikes.

It all started after one driver noticed a semi-truck stuck at the intersection of McKinley and Capitol.

“I was sitting at a light waiting to go home and the semi watched the front end pick up a little bit and I'm like, he's stuck. So, I called everybody, and I'm like hey, do you think we can pull a semi?” said Kyle Koch.

Since then, the Jeep Squad has made it a mission to hit the roads during bad weather, using their off-road vehicles to help drivers who slide off or get stuck. Members say their experience makes a difference.

“Between the group of us that's out we have probably 35 or 40 years of experience in the automotive industry,” said Gabriel Hollister.

For Hollister, Jeeps are more than just vehicles — they’re part of his family history.

“First vehicle I rode was a jeep... I had asked my grandpa, why does our family have Jeeps? And he said, well years back there was a huge blizzard, and they had to go south of town to help somebody, and he said that jeep went through snow drifts up to the doors…” Hollister said.

Now, Hollister and other members are carrying on that legacy. The group uses Facebook to let the community know when they plan to be out on the roads.

For some members, helping others is about combining passion with purpose.

“The Jeep right here to my right was my first Jeep I got in high school, I've gone through things I probably shouldn't have, you know, going off road and things like that... they say do what you love, giving it back to the community, it's a warm feeling in your heart,” said Kameron Koch.

As winter weather continues, the Jeep Squad says they’re always looking to grow and expand their efforts to help even more people across the community.