During the pandemic, average Americans were lauding truck drivers as modern-day heroes for helping keep shelves stocked with food and other goods. But there’s another kind of truck-driving hero who isn't afraid to pull his big rig over to run toward danger...
These acts of heroism are so prevalent that two organizations have dedicated awards for these drivers: the Truckload Carriers Association’s Highway Angel program and Goodyear’s Highway Hero award.
According to TCA’s website, its Highway Angel program began in 1997 to recognize “professional truck drivers for the exemplary courtesy and courage they have shown others while on North America’s roadways.” More than 50 recipients are honored annually, with more than 1,250 to date.
Goodyear’s Highway Hero award program began in 1983, according to Joseph Hildebrandt, director of commercial fleet sales for Goodyear. Hildebrandt said the purpose of the program is to honor truck drivers who act selflessly to help others.
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is a fitting time to take a closer look at these heroes and angels to see what they have in common. Why are there so many truck driver heroes? What makes a truck driver a hero?
Right place, right time
According to Timothy VanNostrand, owner-operator and one of the 2023 Highway Hero award winners, luck had a lot to do with his story.
In June 2023, VanNostrand was in the right place at the right time to help protect a state trooper and the public from a shooter in New York. VanNostrand told FleetOwner he witnessed a vehicle try to outrun a state trooper. When the vehicle eventually pulled over, the driver began to shoot out the state trooper, who had exited his vehicle.
“I did a double take because I couldn't really believe what I was seeing,” VanNostrand said. “A pickup truck had stopped right in my lane. I couldn't stop in time; I hit the pickup, and at almost the same time, the vehicle that was shooting at the state trooper attempted to take off. When he did, I just turned my truck right into him and pinned him against the guardrails.”
For his own safety, VanNostrand exited his semi-truck and stood beside it. Shots continued to be fired for the next 12 minutes until police backup arrived; the state trooper was injured but continued to stand his ground. Both passengers attempted to flee, with one being caught by police and the other taking their own life.
VanNostrand claimed those 12 minutes felt like hours, but he’s glad he was able to keep the shooters from getting away.
“Thankfully, the shooters didn't get away,” VanNostrand said. “If I didn't block them in, potentially, they could have got away. And if they're not afraid to shoot a trooper, they could have took anybody out to get away in their escape.”
VanNostrand didn’t have any special background, training, or experience that enabled him to help in this situation; he was simply in the right place at the right time. Due to the amount of time truck drivers spend on the road and the great distances they cover, this is a common reason why truck drivers become heroes.
See also: Five Good Things: Goodyear and TCA recognize heroic truck drivers
Background
But in many situations, truck drivers do have specific knowledge or training that emboldens them to help in emergencies.
Tony Doughty currently drives for Climate Express and has been honored as a TCA Highway Angel four times. Doughty has been a truck driver for 18 years and a first responder for 12. Doughty’s most recent Highway Angel nomination was for two situations Doughty assisted in—within four days of each other.
On November 8, 2023, Doughty witnessed a vehicle lose control on a highway in Ohio. Doughty told FleetOwner that he blocked traffic in that lane with his semi-truck to prevent more accidents. His wife called 911 while Doughty helped the driver exit the vehicle. Doughty administered aid to the crash victim until the fire department arrived. He stayed on the scene while the fire department did their jobs to keep them blocked from traffic.
“I've been a first responder for over 12 years, so when something like that typically happens, what goes through my head is just ‘render aid,’” Doughty said. “Make sure he's all right, and if he's doing all right, get him out, and do the proper thing. If he's got a major wound or something, don't let him bleed out, try to save him as best you can.”
Several days later on November 12, 2023, Doughty discovered a grass fire in Louisiana. As a volunteer firefighter, Doughty was able to stop and help a police officer put out the fire. In both situations, his first response training emboldened Doughty to step in and help.
Statistically, many truck drivers have backgrounds that could better enable them to assist in emergencies. According to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2023, 10% of truck drivers are veterans. While there aren’t statistics on how many truck drivers are also volunteer firefighters or emergency responders, another fleet agrees that drivers with these backgrounds are uniquely prepared to assist during emergencies.
Melton Truck Lines operates out of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and has produced many TCA Highway Angels over the years. Nisha Cremeans, lead driver services coordinator for Melton, has nominated many of the fleet’s Highway Angels and has found that many truck driver heroes come from certain backgrounds.
“I would say that military is a big one,” Cremeans said. “But we also had several that were just previously either a firefighter or even just EMT, which was really cool. I've had a few that were able to help people that were in serious injuries and were able to actually assist medically and provide that emergency assistance.”
Fleet support
Another factor that can’t be ignored for company drivers is fleet support. Melton Truck Lines is one fleet that has gotten this right, with many Highway Angel nominations since the program’s inception.
According to Cremeans, a saying at Melton is “No load is worth your life or somebody else's.” Cremeans claims Melton’s drivers know they won’t be penalized if they are delayed on the road by helping someone else or just taking care of themselves. Additionally, Melton has counselors available to speak with drivers, especially those who witness an emergency while on the road.
Melton also ensures its truck driver heroes are nominated as Highway Angels and celebrated for their heroic acts.
“We celebrate those who are willing to go out and help others,” Cremeans said. “It's not part of their job, but they went above and beyond their job.”
In addition to nominating its drivers as Highway Angels, Melton celebrates its heroic truck drivers in other ways, including internal recognition programs (Blue Angels), truck decals, t-shirts, social media posts, and more.
“I think [truck driver hero recognition] is important, especially when there can be stereotypes against drivers,” Cremeans said. “This is something that can help break down those stereotypes a little bit that these guys are just absolutely able to help a lot of people on the road, and have done that for many years.”
