TravelCenters of America revealed the winners of the esteemed 2025 Citizen Driver awards during the 53rd Mid-America Trucking Show, hosted at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
Among the three exceptional honorees was Jay Hosty, a dedicated member of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) and a former board member. Hosty now stands alongside Craig Daniels and Darryl Tolle as individuals celebrated for their extraordinary dedication to the trucking profession.
Recognizing Outstanding Contributions to Trucking
Craig Daniels, based in Columbus, Georgia, is a U.S. Army veteran and currently drives for Crete Carrier. He represents the company with pride as part of their “Patriot Fleet,” a division committed to honoring veterans’ service to America.
Meanwhile, Darryl Tolle of Cynthiana, Kentucky, has consistently demonstrated unparalleled safety and professionalism throughout his career, accumulating an impressive 3.6 million accident-free miles on the road. Tolle’s unwavering commitment to safety earned him the prestigious 2024 Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance International Driver Excellence Award, further reinforcing his stellar reputation within the trucking industry.
Jay Hosty, a resident of Diamondhead, Mississippi, began his driving career in Louisiana in 1980. By 1989, he joined OOIDA, aligning with an organization dedicated to empowering and advocating for owner-operators like himself.
Celebrating Their Impact
Winners of the Citizen Driver program are each awarded $5,000 in cash, along with the opportunity to donate an additional $2,500 to a charity of their choice. Their accomplishments are further immortalized with a dedicated plaque prominently displayed at a location of their choosing within the TA, TA Express, or Petro Stopping Center network. Each dedication is marked by a celebration that pays tribute to their lasting contributions.
According to the TravelCenters of America Citizen Driver website, the program was conceived to honor professional drivers who excel on the road and within their communities. Each nomination undergoes careful evaluation by a panel of seasoned trucking professionals who select the winners based on their extraordinary impact.
Upholding a Legacy of Excellence
Since its establishment in 2013, the Citizen Driver program has consistently recognized the achievements of outstanding OOIDA members and their service to the trucking community.
The program’s significance was highlighted during the 2024 awards, with TA CEO Debi Boffa acknowledging the winners’ remarkable contributions. She stated, “It’s an honor to recognize such extraordinary individuals who consistently demonstrate the highest levels of professionalism, safety, and citizenship on and off the road.”
Her remarks reflect the ethos behind the Citizen Driver program, which celebrates not only the skills of professional truckers but also their dedication to safety and community involvement.
The recent ceremony at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville continues to highlight the exceptional individuals driving the trucking industry forward. Programs like Citizen Driver serve as a testament to the values of professionalism, safety, and service that define this essential profession.
Source: Land Line
Image Source: (Travel Centers – TA-Petro) from left to right: Craig Daniels, Daryl Tolle, and Jay Hosty.
