When you’ve been behind the wheel long enough, you know the road can turn dangerous in an instant, and sometimes it’s a fellow driver who makes all the difference. That’s exactly what happened when Phil Damme, a professional driver from Evansville, Indiana, and employee of Online Transport, stepped in to save another trucker’s life on a dark stretch of Interstate 68 in Maryland.
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
