“Truck drivers are the unsung heroes of our roads and communities,” said Joe Stuglis, vice president, Commercial Sales North America, Goodyear. “For more than four decades, the Highway Hero Award has celebrated those who step up in critical moments to protect others. We’re proud to continue this tradition and shine a spotlight on their inspiring stories.”

The Highway Hero Award has been recognizing drivers since 1983, honoring men and women who go far beyond the everyday job of hauling freight. Every year, the program looks for drivers who jumped into action during emergencies, protected others on the road, or showed exceptional bravery while on duty.

Nominations are now open through January 31, 2026. To qualify, nominees must hold a valid CDL and operate a commercial vehicle such as a long-haul truck, vocational truck, infrastructure truck, or a non-lifesaving emergency vehicle with rim sizes over 19 inches. The heroic act must have taken place between January 1 and December 31, 2025, while the driver was actively working in the United States or Canada.

Submitting a nomination is simple. Drivers, coworkers, fleet managers, or anyone who witnessed the event can share a detailed account of what happened. Goodyear will review all entries, create an approved list of nominees, and then hand it over to a judging panel. One Highway Hero will be selected along with up to two finalists.

The winner will be announced in early 2026. Along with cash prizes, the top honoree will also receive a ride on the Goodyear Blimp. Finalists will also earn cash awards, recognizing their bravery and contributions to road safety.

If you know a driver who stepped up when the road needed them most, now is the time to put their name in the running.

Source: The Trucker

The post Goodyear Kicks Off Search For 2025 Highway Hero Award 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

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These heroes were officially recognized at a special awards luncheon on March 17 at TCA’s annual convention in Phoenix, Arizona. The awards are made possible through sponsorship from EpicVue and Northland Insurance.

Meet the 2024 TCA Highway Angels of the Year:

Jason Corino

On November 29, 2023, while driving on US 491 in Cortez, Colorado, Jason Corino found himself in the middle of a horrifying road rage incident that escalated into an attack on a police officer. Corino saw a suspect get out of their vehicle and open fire on the officer during a traffic stop. Acting without hesitation, Corino slammed on his brakes to halt traffic behind him, potentially saving numerous lives. His truck’s camera captured the shocking incident and became key evidence in the investigation. Tragically, the officer did not survive, and the suspect was later fatally shot by law enforcement. Corino’s quick thinking and decisive actions were instrumental in protecting others on the road and assisting the investigation.

Michael Dorsey

September 26, 2024, was a day of disaster in Erwin, Tennessee, as Hurricane Helene’s floodwaters rose rapidly and overwhelmed the area. Loading his flatbed truck at the time, Michael Dorsey quickly realized the danger. He allowed 10 people seeking safety to find refuge on his truck trailer. The floodwaters soon swept the group away, forcing everyone to cling to the trailer for survival. Knocked unconscious at one point, Dorsey did not give up. His bravery and determination ultimately saved six lives in a chaotic and life-threatening situation. Dorsey is a shining example of resilience and selflessness in the face of disaster.

Daljit Sohi

On November 29, 2024, while driving from Banff to Salmon Arm, Canada, Daljit Sohi witnessed a woman accidentally drop her purse at a rest stop. The purse contained $1,100 in cash, a gold chain, and essential personal belongings. Sohi selflessly retrieved the purse and pursued the woman and her family for three hours to return it. When he finally caught up and gave the purse back intact, the woman offered him a reward, which he declined. Sohi’s act of kindness and integrity underscores his immense generosity, earning him a well-deserved spot as a Highway Angel.

Celebrating Their Heroism

These extraordinary individuals were each honored with a complimentary EpicVue satellite TV package. The package includes a 24-inch flatscreen TV, a DVR, and a one-year subscription to DIRECTV, which features over 100 channels, including HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, and NFL Sunday Ticket.

About the TCA Highway Angel Program

Since 1997, the TCA Highway Angel program has recognized professional truck drivers who go above and beyond to assist or protect others. Each year, a select group of these drivers is celebrated for embodying the program’s values of kindness, bravery, and selflessness, and one is chosen as Highway Angel of the Year.

To learn more about the TCA Highway Angel program or to nominate a deserving driver, visit www.highwayangel.org.

The TCA Highway Angel program is made possible through sponsorship from EpicVue, Northland Insurance, and DriverFacts.

Source: Truckers News
Image Sources: Truckers News

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The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has named Donovan Collins, a truck driver from Deport, Texas, as a Highway Angel. Collins works for Dedicated Transportation Solutions, based in Greenville, South Carolina. His quick thinking and bravery at the scene of a car crash earned him this honorable title.

Source: Donovan Collins

A Rainy Morning Heroic Act

On February 11, around 4:30 a.m., Collins was traveling on Interstate 30 in Dallas amidst rainy conditions. Suddenly, his headlights revealed an overturned and unlit vehicle in the middle of the road.

“I saw him about 30 yards out,” Collins recalls. “I barely scraped past him.”

Reacting instantly, Collins turned on his hazard lights, safely parked his truck, and called 911. Without hesitation, he rushed to the mangled car with a flashlight in hand.

“I ran over with a flashlight to see who was in the car,” said Collins. “A guy was just lying there, not moving.”

Drawing on his Navy training, he freed the man from the wreckage and moved him to safety. Following instructions from the 911 operator, Collins began performing CPR until emergency personnel arrived.

A Personal Motivation to Help

For Collins, stopping to help came naturally. His own experiences with accidents where no one stopped to assist influenced his sense of duty.

“I stopped because I know what it’s like to be in an accident and have no one stop to help,” Collins shared. “Everyone else was driving by like they didn’t have a care in the world.”

This act of courage and empathy has earned Collins much-deserved recognition—not only as a truck driver but as a true Highway Angel.

Source: Truckers News

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This prestigious program honors professional truck drivers who have gone above and beyond to show remarkable bravery, kindness, and courtesy while navigating the nation’s roadways. The top three individuals will be celebrated at the TCA 2025 Annual Convention, scheduled for March 15-18 in Phoenix, Arizona.

For this year’s awards, five extraordinary finalists have been chosen. The decision is now in your hands — cast your vote to help select the three drivers who will earn the title of TCA Highway Angels of the Year.

Meet the 2024 Finalists:

• Andrew Inlow (Maverick Transportation)

• Jason Corino (Melton Truck Lines)

• Michael Dorsey (Mercer Transportation)

• Joseph Carroll (Elgin Motor Freight)

• Daljit Sohi (Triple Eight Transport)

Each of these incredible drivers has an inspiring story of courage and kindness, showcasing the best of what it means to be a professional in the trucking industry.

Read their stories and vote for your favorite finalist here.

Make your voice heard and celebrate the heroes of the road!

Source: Overdrive

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While on her route, Lisa noticed a couple standing beside their motorhome, which was towing an SUV already consumed by fire. Without hesitation, she pulled over to assist. According to Lisa, “I saw the woman out with her little fire extinguisher trying to blow it,” Armed with her own fire extinguisher, Lisa joined another Good Samaritan who stopped to help.

The owner of the SUV advised Lisa against risking her safety for the vehicle’s contents, prompting Lisa to remain with the couple until emergency services arrived. An Army veteran with medical training, Lisa assessed the couple for potential injuries, noting, “They were pretty shaken up,” and recalling that “the man got burned on his arm.” Despite the SUV being a total loss, the motorhome remained unscathed.

Since its launch in August 1997, the TCA Highway Angels program has honored nearly 1,400 truck drivers for their kindness, courtesy, and bravery. With support from EpicVue, DriverFacts, and Northland Insurance, the program shines a light on exemplary drivers like Lisa Haner who display extraordinary courage while on the road.

Lisa’s actions serve as a reminder of the selflessness and dedication of truck drivers who go above and beyond their duties, making highways safer for everyone.

Source: Truckers News

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