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.

Joann McNabb was named a TCA Highway Angel for her actions on Aug. 11 after noticing a tractor-trailer traveling erratically through traffic near Harper Woods.

Erratic Driving Prompted Immediate Concern

According to TCA, McNabb was traveling on Interstate 94 when she observed a semi-truck slowing unexpectedly in the middle lane before drifting into adjacent lanes.

After sounding her horn several times without getting the driver’s attention, she began to suspect the driver was experiencing a medical emergency rather than simply driving inattentively.

McNabb activated her hazard lights and remained behind the truck while another motorist did the same. Together, they created a buffer between the disabled truck and approaching traffic as the vehicle continued moving along the shoulder.

The truck eventually struck a concrete barrier but continued traveling for approximately another mile while McNabb remained on the phone with Michigan State Police, providing updates on the situation.

Driver Identified Signs of a Stroke

When the truck finally came to a stop, McNabb and the other motorist immediately went to check on the driver.

Because the driver’s door was locked and the passenger side was against the concrete barrier, McNabb called out to the driver until he was able to partially lower the window. She then entered the cab, applied the parking brakes, and shut down the truck.

After reaching the driver, McNabb recognized symptoms that suggested he was having a stroke and immediately shared her concerns with responding emergency personnel.

Firefighters evaluated the driver and confirmed he was experiencing an active stroke before transporting him to a hospital for treatment.

McNabb remained with the driver until emergency responders were ready to leave the scene.

Highway Angel Program Recognizes Professional Drivers

The TCA Highway Angel program honors professional drivers who demonstrate exceptional courage, courtesy and compassion while working.

Since the program began in 1997, nearly 1,500 professional truck drivers have received the Highway Angel designation for assisting others during emergencies on the nation’s highways.

The program is supported by presenting sponsor EpicVue along with DriverFacts and Northland Insurance.

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 1, 2026

Source: Truckers News

Source: Joann McNabb, Truckers News

The post Frito-Lay Driver Recognized as TCA Highway Angel After Helping Trucker During Medical Emergency appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The incident happened on April 11 shortly after 5 a.m. while Hunt was traveling westbound through the area.

According to TCA, Hunt noticed a large dust cloud near the shoulder before realizing a Honda sedan had overturned off the roadway.

“I saw a dust cloud and checked the shoulder, and the vehicle was upside down,” said Hunt. “I put on my hazards, grabbed my flashlight, and went over to check on him.”

Crash Scene Response Happened Before Emergency Crews Arrived

After safely parking his truck, Hunt walked over to check on the driver involved in the crash.

TCA said Hunt noticed the motorist appeared disoriented and performed what the association described as a concussion check while assessing the situation.

Although the driver reportedly believed medical assistance was unnecessary, Hunt contacted emergency services and stayed at the scene until responders arrived.

“He looked shell-shocked, and I could tell something wasn’t right,” Hunt said. “Even though he didn’t think he needed help, I called emergency services anyway—better safe than sorry, especially with adrenaline.”

The association credited Hunt for remaining calm during the situation and continuing to monitor the driver while waiting for emergency personnel.

Highway Angel Recognition Program Continues Highlighting Drivers

TCA launched the Highway Angel program in 1997 to recognize professional truck drivers who step in during emergencies or assist others while working on the road.

According to the association, nearly 1,500 drivers have received Highway Angel recognition since the program began.

The organization said Hunt’s actions stood out because he immediately stopped to help after spotting the overturned vehicle during the early morning hours along Interstate 58.

The Highway Angel program continues with support from EpicVue, DriverFacts, and Northland Insurance.

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use.

Last updated: May 21, 2026

Source: Truckers News

Source: Nigel Hunt, TCA, Truckers News

The post ABF Freight Driver Honored After Assisting Motorist in Early Morning California Crash appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The Truckload Carriers Association recently named Lamar Buckwalter, a professional driver with Buckwalter Trucking LLC, a TCA Highway Angel, following the April 2 crash on Route 34 during high-wind conditions affecting commercial vehicles across the region.

Driver Saw Tanker Lose Control During Wind Advisory

Buckwalter was traveling eastbound around 2 a.m. when he saw a tanker truck several vehicle lengths ahead suddenly veer off course before overturning.

The crash sent sparks, debris, and dust into the roadway as the tanker rolled.

“I’ve always believed that God puts us in the right places at the right times. Tonight, he proved this once again,” said Buckwalter. “All I could hear was the driver screaming, ‘Get me out of here, I’m hauling hazmat!’”

After stopping safely, Buckwalter ran toward the overturned truck and made contact with the injured driver inside the cab.

According to TCA, the driver initially told Buckwalter he was trapped but not pinned before becoming unresponsive moments later.

Driver Pulled from Overturned Tanker

Buckwalter broke through the windshield and pulled the driver from the overturned truck while debris and leaking engine fluids surrounded the wreckage.

The driver regained consciousness after being removed from the cab. Because the tanker was carrying hazardous materials, both men moved farther away from the vehicle while another motorist contacted emergency responders.

Buckwalter remained with the injured driver, who suffered bruising and head injuries, until first responders arrived at the scene.

TCA said Buckwalter later accompanied the driver in the ambulance so he could contact family members and his employer, and then provided a statement to law enforcement investigators.

“The officer told me he was very impressed with how quickly everything happened,” said Buckwalter. “I just did what I hope anyone else would do in that situation.”

Highway Angel Recognition Highlights Actions At Crash Scene

The TCA Highway Angel program recognizes truck drivers for acts of courage, courtesy, and public service while working on the road.

The association said nearly 1,500 professional drivers have received Highway Angel recognition since the program launched in 1997.

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use.

Last updated: May 15, 2026

Source: Truckers News

Image Source: TCA, Truckers News, Lamar Buckwalter

The post TCA Honors Colorado Driver After HazMat Tanker Rescue Near Greeley appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The Truckload Carriers Association has named Christopher Bishop, a professional driver for Hi Pro Inc., as a recipient of the TCA Highway Angel Award for his actions following a hit-and-run crash involving a motorcyclist in Wichita, Kansas.

Early Morning Emergency in Wichita

The incident happened in the early morning hours of Dec. 13 at approximately 2:15 a.m. CST. Bishop had just left his terminal and was heading to load at the Wichita USPS Processing and Distribution Center when he came upon a disturbing scene on a city roadway.

A motorcycle was lying in a ditch, and its rider was severely injured and positioned in the middle of the road.

“He was just lying in the middle of the road,” Bishop said. “I stopped, and the first thing that ran through my mind was that he was dead.”

Based on what Bishop observed and later camera footage, the motorcyclist appeared to have been struck by a sedan that fled the scene without stopping.

Protecting the Scene and the Victim

Without hesitation, Bishop activated his truck’s flashers and positioned his vehicle to block traffic, creating a barrier between the injured rider and oncoming vehicles. After checking the rider, Bishop realized the man was still alive.

Bishop immediately called 911 and stayed with the victim, keeping him conscious and monitoring his breathing while emergency responders were on the way.

“I kept him talking as much as I could,” Bishop said. “Not long after that, an ambulance and police showed up.”

Emergency crews arrived roughly seven minutes later.

Critical Actions in Dangerous Conditions

Bishop’s actions were especially important given the cold December temperatures and the risks associated with a dark roadway in the early morning hours. By blocking traffic and staying with the injured motorcyclist, Bishop helped prevent further injuries, exposure to the cold, or the possibility of another vehicle striking the victim.

“Sometimes you have to actively be the change you want to see in the world,” he said.

Bishop later expressed disbelief that the driver responsible for the crash failed to stop.

“They didn’t stop; I couldn’t imagine doing that to someone and not stopping to check on him — that’s crazy,” he said.

Recognition From the Truckload Carriers Association

The TCA Highway Angel Award recognizes professional truck drivers who demonstrate extraordinary kindness, courage, and professionalism while on the road. Since the program began in August 1997, nearly 1,500 drivers have been honored for actions that go beyond the job description.

The Highway Angel program is made possible through the support of presenting sponsor EpicVue and supporting sponsors DriverFacts and Northland Insurance.

More information about the TCA Highway Angel program and nomination details is available at the TCA Highway Angel website.

Source: Truckers News

The post Truck Driver Recognized as TCA Highway Angel in Kansas appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The Truckload Carriers Association has honored Daniel Garcia, a driver for Warren Transport, with a TCA Highway Angel Award after his actions helped prevent a dangerous car fire in Dallas.

What Garcia noticed on the road

Early in the morning on Aug. 10, 2025, at around 6 a.m., Garcia was driving through Dallas when something ahead of him did not look right. Flames were visible underneath a passenger vehicle traveling in front of his truck.

When the motorist pulled over, Garcia did not hesitate. He stopped his truck in front of the vehicle and moved quickly to alert the driver to the danger.

“She was not aware that there was fire on the chassis,” he said. “I told her ‘Do you know your car is on fire?’ and she said ‘No …oh my god!’.”

Using training and equipment to stop the fire

Garcia retrieved a fire extinguisher from his truck and went straight to work. Flames were coming from the engine compartment, and the situation could have escalated rapidly.

His fast response stopped the fire before it reached the oil pan, which could have led to serious damage or injury.

“I told her that she had an oil leak and she was lucky the fire didn’t catch up to the oil,” he said. “We caught it on time — we were just lucky.”

Why the response mattered

Vehicle fires can spread in seconds, especially when oil or fuel is involved. By pulling over, warning the motorist, and using his fire extinguisher immediately, Garcia prevented a situation that could have turned catastrophic.

His actions reflect the kind of awareness and preparedness that many professional drivers carry with them every day, often without recognition.

Part of a long-standing Highway Angel tradition

Since the Highway Angel program began in August 1997, nearly 1,500 professional truck drivers have been recognized for acts of kindness, courage, and professionalism on the road.

With support from the program’s presenting sponsor EpicVue and supporting sponsors DriverFacts and Northland Insurance, TCA continues to spotlight drivers who go beyond their job description to help others.

For truck drivers, stories like Garcia’s are a reminder that the skills and equipment carried in the cab are not just about compliance. At the right moment, they can save lives.

Source: Truckers News

The post Warren Transport Driver Recognized for Stopping a Car Fire in Dallas appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The Truckload Carriers Association has officially named Lewis its newest Highway Angel, recognizing the calm, quick, and compassionate way he handled a crash he came across in western Iowa.

According to TCA, Lewis was rolling westbound near Harlan around 6 a.m. on November 9 when he saw a car heading the opposite direction suddenly lose control and wreck.

“I thought, ‘Okay, let’s make sure everything is okay,” he said. After pulling over, Lewis made his way down toward the vehicle, which had landed roughly 100 feet off the highway in an irrigation ditch.

When he reached the scene, he found a young woman named Cora climbing the embankment. She was not hurt, but she was shaken and freezing. After calling 911 and her parents, she took shelter inside Lewis’s truck to warm up until troopers arrived. She told him she had fallen asleep at the wheel.

Her parents later reached out to Lewis’s employer with a message that every driver can appreciate.

“We are very grateful for his kindness and how he kept her safe and warm until the state trooper got to the scene. Owen is a model employee who your company is lucky to have on board. We appreciate what he did for our daughter yesterday,” Emily Truitt and Toby Knoop.

Lewis says helping was never a question. “I have always felt like if something happens, I need to stop and make sure everything is okay.”

He joins nearly 1,500 other professional drivers recognized since the TCA Highway Angel program began in 1997. Supported by EpicVue, DriverFacts, and Northland Insurance, the program continues spotlighting the drivers who show real heart out on the highway.

For truckers like Lewis, it is just another day doing the right thing, but the impact lasts far longer.

Source: Truckers News

The post TCA Honors Sharp Transportation Driver as Newest Highway Angel appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) recently named Damme its newest Highway Angel, recognizing his quick thinking and courage during a late-night crash near Ellicott City.

A Split-Second Decision That Saved a Life

On the night of October 5, around 10:51 p.m., Damme was hauling through the mountain passes when he noticed something unusual flash of headlights, then sparks lighting up the pavement ahead. “He actually turned the whole thing over,” Damme said, describing the wrecked truck. “He ended up in the median.”

Realizing a serious crash had just occurred, Damme slowed his rig and pulled over. He was one of the first to arrive, along with another motorist who had narrowly avoided the accident. The overturned semi blocked the road, and debris was scattered across the lanes.

Without hesitation, Damme jumped into action. He and the other driver worked together to break through the shattered windshield and reach the injured trucker trapped inside. Seeing that the man was bleeding heavily from his arm, Damme removed his own belt and used it as a tourniquet.

“He was bleeding pretty bad,” Damme said. “I put my belt up above his elbow and tightened it really, really tight to slow down the bleeding.”

His fast response likely saved the driver’s life before emergency crews arrived.

Humility Behind the Heroism

After the incident, Damme was personally thanked for his bravery, though he’s not one to seek attention. Known among his peers for his faith and steady character, he simply called it a moment of being in the right place at the right time.

His actions represent what so many in trucking already know: drivers look out for one another. Whether it’s sharing advice, lending a tool, or stepping up in a crisis, that bond runs deep across the highways of America.

A Tradition of Recognizing Trucking’s Heroes

Damme joins a long line of professional drivers honored by the TCA Highway Angel program, which has recognized nearly 1,500 drivers since it began in August 1997. Each recipient represents the compassion and professionalism that keep the industry strong.

Thanks to the program’s presenting sponsor EpicVue, along with supporting sponsors DriverFacts and Northland Insurance, the TCA continues to highlight drivers who go beyond the call of duty to help others on the road.

For many truckers, stories like Damme’s are reminders that while the job can be tough and unpredictable, the heart of the industry is built on courage, kindness, and community.

Source: Truckers News

Image: TCA

The post TCA Honors Indiana Truck Driver Who Saved a Fellow Trucker on a Maryland Highway appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

“His tires went off the road; it was in a construction zone, it had been raining, there was mud from the construction on the road — I feel so bad for this driver,” said Cataldo.

Cataldo immediately slowed her own truck, turned on her four-way flashers to warn oncoming traffic, and called 911. Then she rushed to the scene to check on the driver, who was disoriented and bleeding.

“The driver was out of the truck, but he was really confused,” she said. “The poor kid — he was really cut up — he was bleeding on his arms and his knuckles.”

For several tense minutes, Cataldo stayed with him, providing reassurance and care until emergency responders arrived. Her actions not only prevented further accidents in the area but also ensured the injured driver was not alone during a critical time.

“What I did was what I would hope any other driver would do,” Cataldo said.

TCA Highway Angel Program

The TCA Highway Angel program, which began in August 1997, recognizes professional truck drivers who demonstrate exceptional kindness, courage, and courtesy on the road. Since its inception, nearly 1,500 drivers have been honored for going above and beyond while on the job.

Thanks to the support of EpicVue, the presenting sponsor, and DriverFacts and Northland Insurance as supporting sponsors, the program continues to shine a spotlight on drivers like Cataldo, whose actions highlight the best of the trucking community.

Image Source: TCA, Truckers News

The post Amity Cataldo Named TCA Highway Angel for Heroic Actions at Texas Crash appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has officially recognized Smith as its newest Highway Angel, an honor reserved for drivers who go above and beyond to help others during emergencies.

A Dangerous Night on I-44

It was just after 2 a.m. on June 18 when Smith was hauling westbound on Interstate 44 through heavy rain. As any truck driver knows, wet pavement on Oklahoma highways can turn slick fast, and that night, it did.

Smith said a car passed him and another semi ahead of him, then suddenly lost control.

“I realized the guy was doing flips — he was doing them right in front of the other semi,” Smith recalled. “All the airbags were deployed. Honestly, after watching what happened, I thought there’s no way this guy is alive.”

The car hydroplaned, spun several times, and came to rest on the shoulder. The truck in front of Smith kept going, but Smith immediately slowed down, pulled safely to the side, and ran toward the wreck.

A Quick Response That Made All the Difference

When he reached the vehicle, Smith found the driver conscious but dazed, with visible cuts and scrapes.

“The guy was just sitting there looking at me,” Smith said. “Obviously, he was in shock, but the first thing he said to me was, ‘Can you help me find my phone?’”

Smith helped the young man out of the car, moved him to a safe distance from the highway, and called 911. While they waited for first responders, Smith made sure the injured driver stayed calm and alert.

The victim had only minor injuries, a remarkable outcome considering the severity of the crash.

“I stopped because I was there,” Smith said. “Who else was gonna do it? I believe that you’re put in places for a reason.”

A Highway Hero in the Making

Smith’s story is a reminder of how often truck drivers become first responders simply because they’re there when accidents happen. Every day, drivers like Smith see situations unfold that few others would ever witness, and many, like him, don’t hesitate to help.

Through its Highway Angel program, the TCA honors truckers who show courage and compassion on the road. Since the program began, more than 1,300 drivers have received the recognition.

For Smith, though, it wasn’t about the spotlight, just doing what he knew was right.

Image Source: TCA
Source: The Trucker

The post Oklahoma Trucker Named TCA Highway Angel After Late Night Rescue on I-44 appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.