VISTA, Calif. — A big-hearted Vista mechanic has done it again.
TJ Crossman surprised a graduating high school senior with a free car.
In this Zevely Zone, I visited Rancho Buena Vista High School for the gift of a lifetime. Following our CBS 8 'Working for You' story in May, we received fifty nominations for a graduating high school senior to win a free car.
I was one of the judges on the selection committee and we all chose one special senior to receive the car.
"How are you doing? I'm TJ, nice to meet you," said TJ Crossman when meeting Angle Molano.
The Vista mechanic couldn't hold back the tears. "You are an amazing young man, I know you have had your obstacles, that's yours, brother," said TJ as the 2002 Volkswagen Passat rolled up.
Angel was nominated to win the Passat by his Rancho Buena Vista High School teachers who all signed the letter. "I am very happy because Angel deserves this so much," said his science teacher Autumn Conley.
His government and economics teacher Tim Leary then added, "There's no one who has had more challenges on this campus than what Angel went through the last four or five years and especially this year."
Angel's father, Marcelino, died from brain cancer in 2018, and then this school year, his mother, Judith, died from breast cancer.
"What he went through is tragic but this is an example of a community coming together," said school principal Jose Manuel Villareal.
"Speaking from a first-generation perspective as a Mexican-American when you have a car, it's everything."
"Congratulations," said Denisse Barragan from Fix Auto in Vista.
Her family-owned company painted the car and gave Angel a gift basket filled with gas cards.
"It just got painted. It just got serviced. Fresh oil changed. New tires," said TJ.
Best of all it's paid for.
"This is what it's all about," said TJ. "You know what? Here's your title. That's for you."
The vehicle is Angel's first car.
"Yeah it is, I don't know how to feel you know, I am all fidgety," said Angel with a smile.
When Angel's parents passed away, he and his 21-year-old sister Magaly decided to raise their younger siblings by themselves. This car means so much.
"I won't have to take him to work and stuff like that. It's really helpful," said Magaly with tears rolling down her cheeks. "Because of my parents and I just know that my parents are sending blessings to us."
14-year-old Alan then said, "I know he's been wanting a car for a long time."
11-year-old Samantha added, "I feel good."
They were so happy for their big brother.
"He's an amazing young man," said TJ who even threw in a hundred-dollar bill so Angel could take his girlfriend out in his new car.
"Thank you so much," said Angel. TJ smiled and said," Your first date is on me, brother."
"He will make us proud in so many ways. We are so excited for him," said school principal Jose Manuel Villareal.
It was time for TJ to tear up.
"I am blessed to be able to do this you know hopefully it means as much to him as it does to me and hopefully we can give him a hand up and not a handout," said TJ.
For more information about TJ Crossman's Auto Repair, click here. Their phone number is (760) 842-1633.
TJ is also providing six months of free maintenance for the car and AAA membership. Angel says the first place he'll drive his siblings is to the beach.