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.

Online voting is officially open for the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award, recognizing military veterans who have made an outstanding transition into professional trucking.

Voting began November 1 and runs through Veterans Day, November 11, giving the public the chance to help decide which veteran driver will take home this year’s top honor.

The award is a joint effort from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program, Kenworth Truck Company, and Fastport. It celebrates service members who have successfully shifted from military life to careers in commercial trucking.

You can cast your vote now at TransitionTrucking.org/vote.

Meet the 2025 Transition Trucking Finalists

Charles Jones Jr., U.S. Army (E-7), Roehl Transport

Charles Jones Jr. is a 20-year U.S. Army veteran who served as an unmanned aircraft systems operator, instructor, standards operator, and platoon sergeant, completing three combat deployments to Iraq and two rotations to South Korea.
A husband to Katrina and father to Alvin and Monica, Jones graduated from the Georgia Driving Academy in December 2024 and began his professional driving career with Roehl Transport in early 2025.

Macy Mattice, U.S. Army (E-4), Melton Truck Lines

Macy Mattice served from 2010 to 2018 as an 88M motor transport operator specializing in heavy equipment transportation.
Originally from Winter Springs, Florida, she now drives flatbed for Melton Truck Lines and lives near Jacksonville with her son, Rusty.

Mark Scriven, U.S. Army (E-6), Stevens Transport

A former staff sergeant and Patriot missile operator/maintainer, Mark Scriven spent nine years in the U.S. Army, earning multiple Army achievement medals and recognition as a combat lifesaver.
Today, he works as a driver and trainer with Stevens Transport, using his leadership experience to mentor new drivers. The father of three also welcomed a daughter in August.

Honoring Service and Skill Behind the Wheel

Each year, Transition Trucking highlights the top rookie military veterans who have made their mark in trucking. The finalists are selected through a nomination and review process, followed by a public vote that helps determine the winner.

The winner will be announced on December 12 during a ceremony at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C.

The grand prize is a new Kenworth T680 equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and the PACCAR Powertrain, featuring a 455-horsepower MX-13 engine, TX-12 automated transmission, and DX-40 tandem rear axles. The runner-up will receive $10,000, and the second runner-up will take home $5,000.

This program continues to spotlight the impact veterans make in the trucking industry, bringing discipline, dedication, and leadership from the military to America’s highways.

To learn more or vote before November 11, visit TransitionTrucking.org.

Source: Truckers News

Image Source: Transition Trucking

The post Vote Now: Help Choose the Next Transition Trucking Award Winner — Voting Ends Nov. 11 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.

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has honored Leatherwood as a Highway Angel after he stopped to help extinguish a burning truck.

Leatherwood’s quick response took place on July 10 along an interstate just west of Atlanta. As smoke and sparks appeared beneath a Ford pickup, he acted immediately.

“All of a sudden it started smoking; he slammed on his brakes and got on the shoulder,” Leatherwood said. “As I’m easing by, I could see fire dripping down plastic that had caught fire.”

Seeing a child’s car seat in the back of the truck made the situation even more urgent.

“I looked at that car seat and luckily there wasn’t a baby in it,” he said. Despite being a grandfather and new to professional driving, he stayed calm. “I kept the fire as low as I could until the fire department arrived.”

Thanks to Leatherwood’s action, the driver walked away unharmed, and a nearby officer arrived shortly after to manage the rest.

Leatherwood reflected on his instincts: “I wasn’t worried about anything else other than if there was a little one inside that pickup truck. I would hope that anyone would do that in that situation, whether they had a fire extinguisher or not.”

Since its inception in 1997, TCA’s Highway Angel program has recognized nearly 1,500 truckers for their courage and goodwill on the highway. Programs like this are supported by presenting sponsor EpicVue, and supporting sponsors DriverFacts and Northland Insurance.

Image and Source: Truckers News

The post Retired Rancher Turned Truck Driver Named TCA Highway Angel appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Here’s the sequence of events reported by the TCA:

On July 9, while traveling on a Missouri highway, Patterson observed a vehicle that had flipped and was emitting smoke.

“I saw a car on fire and pulled over to make sure they were okay,” Patterson recounted.

Demonstrating quick thinking, Patterson halted his truck, disembarked, and shattered the car’s windshield to access those trapped inside. He discovered four young adults and assisted each of them to safety. Emergency personnel arrived swiftly after, allowing Patterson to continue his journey to prevent traffic obstruction. Reflecting on the incident, he credited his military background for his swift actions.

“I’m prior military,” remarked the Navy veteran. “It’s just kinda in me.”

Since its establishment in August 1997, the TCA Highway Angels program has celebrated nearly 1,400 truck drivers for their remarkable acts of heroism, kindness, and goodwill on the road. This recognition is supported by sponsors like EpicVue, DriverFacts, and Northland Insurance, underscoring the inspiring deeds of truck drivers like Patterson.

Source: Truckers News

Image: TCA

The post Melton Truck Driver Honored for Brave Rescue Effort appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.