Akins, who lives in Asheboro, North Carolina, drives for ABF Freight, headquartered in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

A Sudden Crash on a North Carolina Highway

On May 22, Akins was driving along Old 421 Road in Greensboro, North Carolina, when he witnessed a pickup truck towing a trailer begin to fishtail dangerously in front of him.

“His trailer started fishtailing back and forth,” Akins recalled. “It was so abrupt; jerking him everywhere.”

Moments later, the trailer partially detached from the Dodge pickup, causing the vehicle to jackknife and flip off the road. The truck landed on its side, trapping the two passengers inside.

Swift Action and a Calm Response

Without hesitation, Akins brought his rig to a stop and rushed to the overturned vehicle. He saw the passengers were alert but unable to exit the cab.

“I was able to bang on the windshield,” he said. “The driver said, ‘We’re okay, we just can’t get out.’”

Climbing onto the side of the wreck, Akins pulled out his pocket knife, cut through the deflated airbags, and maneuvered himself into the cab. Hanging upside down inside the truck, he carefully freed one of the passengers from a jammed seatbelt. With both men now able to move, he helped them climb out to safety.

Thanks to Akins’ quick thinking and calm under pressure, both individuals escaped the crash with only minor injuries.

“It’s just human instinct,” Akins said. “If there’s anything I can do to help, I’m gonna do it.”

Honoring Everyday Heroes on the Road

TCA’s Highway Angel program honors drivers who go beyond the call of duty to help others while out on the road. In recognizing Akins, TCA highlights not just his bravery, but the spirit of community and compassion that defines the best in trucking.

Source: The Trucker

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Jeff Cochran, representing FedEx Freight, delivered another outstanding performance, making headlines as he earned his second Grand Championship trophy. On top of securing the overall win, Cochran also came out on top in the competitive three-axle division, solidifying his reputation as one of the Arkansas Truck Driving Championship’s most remarkable competitors.

Celebrating Standout Drivers

The list of winners this year tells the story of resilience, mastery, and teamwork in the Arkansas trucking community. Chaunce Umfleet, also from FedEx, earned the runner-up spot overall and was recognized for his outstanding attitude and professionalism with the event’s Sportsmanship Award.

FedEx Freight’s Ronnie Mahan nabbed the top pre-trip inspection score, earning respect for his attention to detail: a vital trait for safety on the road. Dave Hall from ABF Freight proved his expertise on paper as well, taking the top spot in the written portion of the competition.

For newcomers, the Arkansas Truck Driving Championship was an opportunity to shine. Chandler Compton, another FedEx driver, received accolades as this year’s Rookie of the Year, an honor that points to a promising future in the industry.

Team Achievements and Category Champions

In addition to outstanding individuals, team efforts were honored as well. ABF Freight took home the Small Team Award, while FedEx Freight’s group stood out among large teams, reflecting both determination and collective skill.

Drivers also competed across a range of vehicle classes. Those earning top positions not only brought pride to their employers but have also qualified to represent Arkansas at the national competition in Minneapolis this August. Here are this year’s category winners:

• 3 Axle: Jeff Cochran, FedEx Freight

• 4 Axle: Chaunce Umfleet, FedEx Corp.

• 5 Axle: Nathan Evans, Tyson Foods

• Flatbed: Phillip Thurner, Tyson Foods

• Sleeper: Gary Mars, Walmart Transportation

• Step Van: Eric Brockette, FedEx Freight

• Straight Truck: Jessie King, FedEx Freight

• Tanker: Marcus Rush, Walmart Transportation

• Twins: Dave Hall, ABF Freight

Looking Ahead: National Competition Bound

Each winner from the Arkansas Truck Driving Championship has now earned the privilege to advance to the highly anticipated national competition, scheduled for August 21-23 in Minneapolis. This next event puts state champions on the national stage, where they’ll compete with the best and further elevate the profile of Arkansas’s trucking professionals.

Image Source: Arkansas Trucking Association
Source: Truckers News

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“For nearly four decades, America’s Road Team has set the gold standard in promoting safety and professionalism on our highways,” said Chris Spear, president and CEO of ATA. “As we begin the process of selecting a new class of captains, we’re looking for drivers who not only demonstrate excellence behind the wheel but also have a passion for telling our industry’s story and inspiring the next generation of trucking professionals.”

Representing the Best in Trucking

Established in 1986, America’s Road Team brings together drivers with exceptional safety records and a passion for the industry. These captains aren’t just skilled behind the wheel — they also serve as public ambassadors, helping tell the trucking story across the country.

Backed by their employers, captains spend their term traveling in the ATA’s custom Volvo VNL 860 — also known as the Interstate One Image Truck. It’s more than just a truck. Inside, it’s outfitted with a mobile classroom and a simulator designed to give people a deeper look at what driving a truck is really like.

During their time as captains, drivers attend school visits, community events, policy meetings, and industry gatherings to talk about trucking’s impact on daily life and the economy.

Application Details

ATA will select the 2026–2027 captains following in-person evaluations in Washington, D.C., scheduled for January 18–24, 2026.

A panel of industry leaders will review each applicant based on their safety history, communicati.on skills, and industry insight — all key to representing trucking in public spaces.

Drivers interested in applying should go through their carrier. Application materials and eligibility info are available now on ATA’s website.

Strong Support from the Industry

“Volvo Trucks is proud to continue our support of this extraordinary program,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America. “America’s Road Team captains are powerful voices for the industry, and we look forward to meeting the next group of leaders who will help us continue advocating for safety, professionalism, and opportunity in trucking.”

The most recent team, chosen in early 2024, includes drivers from 14 carriers and together, they’ve logged over 61 million accident-free miles. That group will keep traveling and sharing their experiences through 2025, as the next round of applications gets underway.

“America’s Road Team captains are the face of our industry,” said Nikki Thomas, ATA’s vice president of industry affairs. “They exemplify the best of what trucking has to offer and play a vital role in shifting public perception and inspiring future drivers.”

Stay updated on the America’s Road Team and their events by following ATA’s Facebook page.

Image Source: ATA
Source: The Trucker

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