I think you did the right thing. The story is fairly suspicious and cliché: car trouble, loved ones stranded, obvious solution via credit cards ruled out before anyone asked. If he is mechanically savvy enough to know that his alternator is broken, he should know that you can drive a good while with a dead alternator; I've done so. Realistically, the most you would have done is pass him some cash, right? That wouldn't solve his car troubles, certainly not at that hour; maybe it would get him a taxi ride somewhere nearby. If he can call a taxi, he should be able to call a friend instead of hitting up strangers. If he has no friends nearby and no credit cards for a hotel, giving him a little cash probably isn't going to help much. Make it a point to help somebody else out instead, somebody that you recognize as having a need. I probably would have done what you did, or I might have done something else.What should I have done?
What would you have done?