Koppenhaver saw the semi-truck and box truck collide around 2:30 a.m. on July 30. He pulled onto the shoulder, ran back to the wreck, and found the box truck badly crushed with two people inside.

Koppenhaver Climbed into the Box Truck

One of the occupants, a passenger named Mario, was trapped in the wreckage. When Koppenhaver reached him, he was unresponsive and not breathing.

Koppenhaver found an opening and climbed inside. He was concerned that Mario could have head or spinal injuries, so he tried to keep his neck still while checking for a response.

“I did a sternum rub and stuff like that. Got him somewhat conscious,” Koppenhaver said.

Once Mario began responding, Koppenhaver called 911 and described his condition. Mario had serious injuries to his left arm, and both legs were pinned beneath the wreckage.

He Stayed with Mario Until Help Arrived

Koppenhaver stayed inside with Mario while emergency crews made their way to the scene. When medical personnel arrived, he asked for a cervical collar to help protect Mario’s neck before firefighters began the process of freeing him.

Crews used the jaws of life to cut through the box truck. Mario was eventually removed and taken for emergency treatment.

Koppenhaver later said Mario remained in intensive care after the crash and had lost both legs.

TCA Recognizes Koppenhaver’s Actions

Koppenhaver is a U.S. military veteran and a retired U.S. Postal Service employee. TCA recognized him for stopping immediately, helping Mario through the first critical minutes after the collision, and staying with him until first responders could take over.

The Highway Angel program has recognized professional truck drivers for helping others on the road since 1997. Nearly 1,500 drivers have received the honor during that time.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: September 9, 2026

Source: Truckers News

Source: Brian Koppenhaver

The post Melton Truck Lines Driver Named Highway Angel After Helping at Ohio Crash appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is holding a groundbreaking ceremony for the project at the eastbound I-70 rest area in Concordia. Construction is expected to begin this fall, with the improvements scheduled for completion in late 2028.

The project is funded through a $33 million federal grant.

Project Targets One of Missouri’s Busiest Freight Corridors

Interstate 70 serves as one of Missouri’s primary freight routes, carrying more than 10,000 trucks each day.

According to MoDOT, truck parking demand regularly exceeds available capacity. During peak periods, all public truck parking areas along the I-70 corridor are full, while approximately 75% of private truck stops also operate at or above capacity.

State officials say the additional parking is intended to improve safety by giving drivers more legal places to park and comply with hours-of-service requirements.

Eight Locations Will Receive Additional Parking

The project includes improvements at rest areas in Concordia, Boonville, Mineola and Wright City.

In addition to resurfacing work, each location will receive new truck parking spaces.

The planned improvements include:

• Wright City Westbound: 44 new spaces, increasing capacity to 64 truck parking spaces.
• Wright City Eastbound: 49 new spaces, increasing capacity to 67 spaces.
• Mineola Westbound: 24 new spaces, increasing capacity to 88 spaces.
• Mineola Eastbound: 25 new spaces, increasing capacity to 54 spaces.
• Boonville Westbound: 40 new spaces, increasing capacity to 60 spaces.
• Boonville Eastbound: 28 new spaces, increasing capacity to 49 spaces.
• Concordia Westbound: 29 new spaces, increasing capacity to 48 spaces.
• Concordia Eastbound: 16 new spaces, increasing capacity to 44 spaces.

Several locations will also receive pavement improvements and minor facility upgrades.

Industry Leaders Join Groundbreaking Ceremony

The groundbreaking ceremony includes representatives from Missouri transportation agencies, the trucking industry and the construction team overseeing the project.

Scheduled speakers include Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission Chairman Warren Erdman, Missouri Trucking Association CEO Tom Crawford, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association President Todd Spencer, KCI Construction President Tom Huster and Improve I-70 Truck Parking Project Director Dan Oesch.

Truck Parking Remains a National Challenge

Truck parking continues to rank among the trucking industry’s most frequently cited concerns, with drivers often spending valuable driving time searching for available parking near the end of their workday.

Projects that expand parking along major freight corridors have become a growing focus for state transportation agencies as freight volumes increase and parking demand continues to outpace available capacity.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: August 28, 2026

Source: Truckers News

Image Source: MDOT

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According to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), maintenance crews continue working between New Castle at Mile Point 105 and Silt at Mile Point 97, where a debris flow forced the closure of the interstate on the evening of July 20.

Heavy Rain Triggered Widespread Flooding

CDOT said torrential rain and hail overwhelmed drainage systems in the area, sending mud, logs, and rocks across the interstate and making the roadway impassable.

Jason Smith, CDOT’s Regional Transportation Director, said the storm produced a large amount of rainfall in a short period, while dry ground conditions limited absorption and contributed to significant flooding.

Smith also credited maintenance crews and the Colorado State Patrol for responding quickly to close the highway and establish detour routes for motorists before conditions worsened.

Hundreds of Yards of Interstate Covered by Debris

Transportation officials estimate that the debris flow spread across more than 300 yards of Interstate 70, with mud and debris reaching depths of more than three feet in some locations.

Crews continue removing large amounts of material while waiting for standing water to drain before additional cleanup work can be completed.

“There is a lot of material for the crews to clear and water to drain,” Smith said. “We are working hard to get this cleared up to get this vital road back open as soon as possible.”

What Is a Debris Flow?

A debris flow is a rapidly moving mixture of water, mud, rocks, vegetation, and other natural material that travels downhill during or after heavy rainfall. These events can move at speeds exceeding 35 mph and often occur when intense storms overwhelm drainage systems.

While debris flows are commonly associated with burn scars left by wildfires, they can also develop in areas experiencing exceptionally heavy rainfall, particularly when dry or hardened soil cannot absorb water quickly enough.

Motorists traveling through western Colorado should continue checking road conditions before departing, as cleanup operations and traffic restrictions may remain in place until crews fully clear the affected section of Interstate 70.

Looking for more trucking news, highway updates, and industry information? Visit TDUSA for the latest stories impacting professional truck drivers across the country.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: July 27, 2026

Source: The Trucker

The post Flood Cleanup Continues on Colorado’s Interstate 70 Following Major Debris Flow appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The new Clear Creek facility adds 78 truck parking spaces, bringing total capacity at the welcome center to 128. The upgraded site replaces the old rest area built in 1992 and now includes recreation areas, a dog park, interactive exhibits, and amenities designed to help drivers recharge safely.

“The goal of INDOT’s overall plan is to provide safe, informative locations for travelers to rest, relax, and recharge,” said INDOT Commissioner Lyndsay Quist. “In addition to Clear Creek, we’re looking forward to opening the Black River welcome center on I-64 in Posey County later this year.”

Indiana Governor Mike Braun noted, “The new Clear Creek welcome center showcases Indiana’s deep roots in racing and provides a warm welcome for travelers entering the crossroads of America.”

Expanding Truck Parking Across Indiana

The Clear Creek project is part of a broader 10-year INDOT plan to improve rest areas and welcome centers across the state. More than $600 million will be invested in these upgrades, with plans to add over 1,200 truck parking spaces, effectively doubling Indiana’s capacity for commercial vehicles.

A recently modernized truck parking facility off Interstate 65 in Boone County reopened with 150 spaces and updated amenities, providing much-needed relief for drivers navigating crowded highways.

“This is progress toward helping alleviate parking shortages faced by the freight and logistics industries across the state,” said Quist.

Truck Parking Updates in Other States

Indiana is not alone in addressing truck parking challenges. In Sparta, Wisconsin, a rest area reopened with more than four times the previous truck parking capacity and added staging areas for oversize and overweight vehicles. Pennsylvania has designated 133 locations for additional truck parking, with potential for more along the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

For truck drivers, these expansions mean safer rest options, less stress, and more reliable stops along key freight corridors. With interstate traffic and freight volumes continuing to grow, planning your route with updated rest areas in mind has never been more important.

Source: Land Line Media

The post Indiana Adds More Truck Parking Along I-70 to Meet Growing Freight Demand appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The Kansas Turnpike Authority teamed up with Love’s to make the project happen.

“This collaboration with Love’s reflects our ongoing commitment to improving the travel experience for commercial drivers,” said Steve Hewitt, KTA’s CEO. “We’re excited to see this additional amenity come to life and support the essential work of the trucking industry.”

The new shop is set up right next to the Love’s Travel Stop and opened late last week. It brings drivers three full maintenance bays and access to Love’s regular Truck Care services. That includes tire replacement, oil changes, and light mechanical work, so you do not have to burn time trying to find a shop off route.

It also connects to Love’s roadside assistance network, which means faster help when something breaks down across the region.

“This strategically located Love’s Truck Care facility provides professional drivers an option for truck service without having to leave the Turnpike,” said Eric Daniels, vice president of Love’s Truck Care. “This partnership with KTA is a natural extension of Love’s commitment to getting customers back on the road quickly with minimum downtime and thorough, friendly over-the-road service.”

For anyone hauling freight across Kansas, this setup means less downtime, easier access to repairs, and one less headache when something comes up on the road.

Image Source: Love’s Travel Stops

Source: Truckers News

The post New Love’s Truck Care Shop Now Open on the Kansas Turnpike appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

MoDOT’s Freight Plan and the Focus on Truck Parking

MoDOT is currently revisiting its State Freight and Rail Plan, described by Levi Woods, administrator of freight and waterways, as a “strategic document that outlines the visions, goals and priorities of Missouri’s freight and passenger rail systems.” This comprehensive plan covers a variety of transportation sectors, including trucks, rail, air, and waterways.

An essential aspect of this plan is truck parking, which MoDOT acknowledges as a critical element for transportation safety. Missouri’s previous 2022 plan included an extensive 106-page truck parking profile, which was created with significant input from truck drivers.

“Who’s better to ask than the folks using the system themselves?” Woods explained. “We want to hear from the experts, the people in there doing it day in, day out.”

Truck Drivers’ Voices Needed in Updated Parking Analysis

To ensure the new plan effectively addresses truck parking challenges, MoDOT is collecting data through an updated truck parking analysis. The revised analysis will include a fresh parking survey designed for truck drivers, gathering feedback on their experiences and identifying areas where improvements are most needed.

Truckers have until March 16 to complete the survey, which can be accessed here or by scanning the QR code provided below. The survey is mobile-friendly, takes under 10 minutes to complete, and guarantees confidentiality.

Drivers will answer questions covering topics such as preferred parking amenities and locations where additional parking is required.

The more responses MoDOT receives, the more comprehensive and effective the planning process can be. However, participation has historically been low—during the 2022 analysis, MoDOT sent nearly 8,000 emails to Missouri-based truck drivers, but only 16 completed the survey in full.

“I know these folks get inundated with surveys all the time, but this information really is valuable to us in making the best decisions going forward possible to help them and again, to keep everyone safe,” Woods emphasized.

Focused Efforts on Interstate 70 and Beyond

Feedback from the survey could help guide the expansion of truck parking options, particularly along Interstate 70, a key artery for freight movement in Missouri. Other areas may also see improvements if truck drivers highlight recurring parking challenges in those regions.

Federal funding could play a significant role in these initiatives. MoDOT’s website explains that freight and rail plans are tied to federal grants, which can include funding for truck parking improvements.

Additionally, nationwide efforts to address truck parking shortages are underway. On February 27, Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., reintroduced the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, which aims to allocate $755 million toward parking expansion across the country.

Source: Land Line

The post Truck Drivers Can Help Shape Missouri’s Truck Parking Future appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.