Cable news and social media are rife with stories about horrific semi collisions and truckers gone bad. But what seldom garners splashy headlines are stories about truck drivers who perform selfless acts of heroism. These are three truckers who earned Highway Angel status in January 2024.
Former Marine Aids Big Rig Ablaze
When an ABF Freight driver saw the rear wheel of a big rig on fire, he reportedly sped up on U.S. 64 near Kirtland, N.M., and alerted the driver. David Garduno, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, retrieved his fire extinguisher as the trucker-in-training woke his mentor from the sleeper berth. With the blaze too hot to quell, he told the rookie driver to separate the trailers while first responders were en route. He also noticed hazardous materials labels as he put out his emergency triangles.
“We split the two trailers apart. The fire department came, and it took about two hours to put out, even though it was 10 degrees or less outside,” Garduno reportedly said. “If I was in his position, I would want someone to help me. You always gotta help each other out.”
Heroic Trucker Uses Rig as Bullet-Proof Shield
Delton, FL, native Jason Corino encountered what appeared to be a typical road rage motorist traveling U.S. 491 in Cortez, CO. The Melton Truck Lines driver saw the vehicle and others speed past him, with police in pursuit. Just a few miles up the road, the vehicle was stopped on the shoulder. A deadly shootout erupted between the suspect and Cortez Police Department Sergeant Michael Moran.
“I could see the bullets bouncing off the ground,” Corino reportedly said. “I stopped right there to protect the people behind me.”
Sergeant Moran reportedly died from the wounds he received, bringing the violent offender to justice. Fortunately, Corino caught the entire incident on his dashcam, which law enforcement was able to use in a successful prosecution.
Decker Truck Line Helps Aids Fellow Driver After Rollover
Timothy Olden was traveling I-40 outside Crossville, TN, when a flatbed ahead of him veered off the road and flipped over. He pulled to the shoulder and ran to the trucker’s aid. With the big rig laying driver’s side down, it was no easy feat to extricate the fellow trucker. The weary CDL holder repeatedly confirmed he had fallen asleep at the wheel. Olden, an experienced professional, had this to say.
“If you yawn three times in a row, get to a truck stop and rest. Go stretch out in the back of the truck,” Olden reportedly said.
All three truckers were named Highway Angels in January.
Sources:
https://highwayangel.org/highway-angel-recipient-david-garduno/
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