Goodyear names Highway Hero

Edward A, Regener, a driver for FedEx Freight, was named North America Highway Hero for 2006 by Goodyear at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville last week.

As Regener drove a tractor-trailer carrying drums of battery acid and paint on Interstate 10 near Phoenix last November, he noticed a speeding car headed his way across the median. The car collided with a pickup that was trying to pass Regener, pushing the pickup into his truck.

The pickup caught fire, which spread to Regener’s cab and first trailer. After escaping through his passenger door, Regener ran to the car that caused the accident and pulled two men from the vehicle, which was also on fire.

Regener, who is from Perris, CA, received a $10,000 savings bond from Goodyear, as well as a Goodyear Highway Hero ring.

“Too often, we only hear criticism about trucks and drivers, but that’s not our view of the trucking industry,” said Peter Christoffersen, gm of marketing for Goodyear. “We know that most drivers are hardworking, safe and courteous. And in the case of Ed Regener and the three Highway Hero finalists, these drivers stopped to help others without regard for their own lives.”

For more information, go to www.goodyear.com/truck