That happened to me when I was in my early 20's. No cell phones back then. I was on the West Side Highway near a Harlem exit in NYC about 2 a.m. when I blew a tire. Not a good place or time to be in that situation without a weapon. The area was not well lit at all. I had just pulled out my jack and was pulling out my spare, when an older Russian man pulled up with a younger man. When they got out of the car, the older man immediately held out his arms, showing me his open palms, and said in very broken English: "Don't worry pretty girl, I not hurt you. I only help you. Don't worry." And they both proceeded to take the jack & tire, and change it all out for me. I was very very lucky. They were the sweetest men. If that happened today, I'd probably be stuffed into someone's trunk.
I would not have stopped. That was always my philosophy........flat tire in bad place at night, keep rolling. I never had to do it but I still have the philosophy, along with a cell phone and a crow bar.
It has happened to me. I was on I-10 in FL when my engine shut down. A trucker stopped to help and we decided to pull the distributor cap. The points were closed and not making a spark. I loosened them, reset them and tightened them. Engine ran fine. I thanked him and off we went.
Make sure the doors are locked and say a prayer. Be sure the car will not go at all, even if obviously problem-ridden. I drove the last 20 miles with my car's engine light on and shaking around 1:30 am several months ago. I didn't even think about stopping. Turned out I needed plugs and wires. Mechanic asked how long since I had changed them, and he couldn't believe I never had. My car is a 2000 model. It's purring like a kitten again.
Harry 