Acts of heroism on the highway often happen without warning, and they rarely come with recognition. In one case from Ohio, a truck driver’s split-second decision to stop and help has now been honored with one of the nation’s highest civilian awards.
Joshua Chieka, a 37-year-old truck driver from Piedmont, Ohio, was recently awarded the Carnegie Medal for heroism. He was one of 17 people recognized for extraordinary actions taken to save lives while facing extreme danger.
What happened on Interstate 70
The incident occurred on November 14, 2023, on Interstate 70 near Etna, Ohio. A tour bus carrying 52 high school students and three faculty members was traveling to a band event when it was struck from behind by a tractor-trailer. The crash caused a fire that spread from the tractor-trailer and a second vehicle into the rear of the bus.
The National Transportation Safety Board later determined that driver inattention caused the crash. Investigators found that the tractor-trailer hit a line of stopped traffic that had slowed because of an earlier collision. The crash ultimately killed six people and injured more than 40 others.
A rescue under extreme conditions
As the fire grew, most of the bus passengers were able to escape. One student, Brynn Goedel, was not able to get out on her own. At the moment of impact, she had been standing in the aisle attempting to reach the restroom. The force of the collision threw her about 15 feet and caused severe injuries that left her unable to move.
Chieka was driving nearby when he saw flames coming from the bus. He stopped immediately and ran toward it. After learning from chaperones that students were still inside, he entered the bus through the open door.
Inside, thick smoke filled the interior from floor to ceiling. Chieka crouched low and moved roughly 30 feet toward the rear of the bus, reaching out through the smoke to locate anyone who might still be trapped. He eventually felt Brynn and pulled her toward the front of the bus while staying low to avoid the smoke.
With help from chaperones, Chieka moved her to the shoulder of the highway. Emergency responders later transported her to a nearby hospital.
The injuries and recovery
Brynn Goedel suffered extensive injuries, including multiple pelvic fractures, broken ribs, a fractured clavicle, a lacerated bladder, burns to her face and left arm, and a concussion. She spent 43 days in the hospital and underwent four surgeries before recovering.
Chieka also suffered injuries during the rescue. He inhaled smoke and sustained a small burn on his right forearm. He received treatment at a nearby hospital and later recovered.
Legal outcome of the crash
Jacob D. McDonald, 61, the driver of the tractor-trailer involved in the crash, was later convicted of vehicular homicide. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison and is expected to be released next month.
What the Carnegie Medal represents
The Carnegie Medal is awarded across the United States and Canada to individuals who knowingly risk their lives to save others. Since the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission was established in 1904 by Andrew Carnegie, the medal has been awarded to 10,545 people.
In addition to the honor itself, recipients or their surviving family members receive financial grants. Over the past 121 years, the Fund has distributed more than 45 million dollars in grants, scholarships, death benefits, and ongoing assistance.
Why this matters to truck drivers
For professional drivers, moments like this underscore the responsibility that comes with being on the road. While crashes and emergencies are never part of the job description, truck drivers are often among the first people on scene when something goes wrong.
Chieka’s actions show how training, awareness, and the willingness to act can make the difference between life and death. His recognition serves as a reminder that professionalism in trucking extends beyond the cab and into the choices drivers make when others need help most.
Source: Truckers News
