Crawford Trucking driver Mike Nelson has been named a Highway Angel by the Truckload Carriers Association after stopping to help a family stranded at a California rest area.
Nelson was traveling through California on May 21 after making a delivery when he stopped at a rest area along Interstate 40. While there, he noticed a family whose daughter’s vehicle had broken down after overheating in the desert heat during a trip from Los Angeles to New York.
Nelson first checked to see whether he could help determine what was wrong with the vehicle. After returning to his truck for supper, he said he kept thinking about the family.
“Afterwards I went back to my truck and was starting to eat supper, and it was weighing real heavy on me,” Nelson recalled. “The Lord was speaking to me and told me to go back and check on them, see if they needed any food or water or anything.”
When Nelson went back, he learned the family had been waiting for a tow truck and had run out of food and water.
“So I went back to my truck and got some snacks and some water,” he said. “They had called the tow truck, but it hadn’t come yet, and they were out of food and water. They didn’t have anything.”
Nelson shared what he had and stayed with the family until help arrived.
“I just couldn’t feel right about not at least offering to share with them what I had,” he said.
His actions prompted motorist Scott Morrison to nominate him for recognition through TCA’s Highway Angel program.
“Thank you,” Morrison wrote. “I’m not sure if Mike works for you, but if he does, he was very kind to us when our car broke down in California. He made sure we had water and any other necessities while we waited for AAA. His kindness was very appreciated.”
Nelson has been driving professionally since the mid 1990s and said he did not expect to be recognized for helping.
“I certainly wasn’t expecting it,” he said. “I was just thankful that, you know, you show a little kindness when somebody’s having some trouble.”
The Highway Angel program recognizes professional truck drivers who show courage, compassion, and service while on the road. More information about the program is available through the Truckload Carriers Association.
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: July 2, 2026
Source: Truckers News
image Source: Mike Nelson
