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

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The announcement came during the annual Best Fleets to Drive For conference held at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina, where fleets across North America were recognized for how they treat and support their drivers.

Small Carrier Spotlight: Crawford Trucking

Crawford Trucking, based in Des Moines, Iowa, took home the Best Overall Fleet award in the small carrier category. While the company has appeared on the Top 20 list before, this marks its first time earning the top overall honor.

For drivers, the standout is the company culture. Feedback collected through the program highlights a workplace where communication is open and leadership is accessible.

One driver shared, “No door is locked at our company, except the restroom. Everyone is always available for the drivers, and that’s from the maintenance crew all the way to, and including, the owner of the company.”

That kind of environment doesn’t happen by accident. According to program organizers, Crawford Trucking leveraged driver feedback to improve day-to-day operations, policies, and overall support.

“This year’s winning fleet really utilized the Best Fleets program, using the reports and driver feedback to strengthen their programs,” said Jane Jazrawy, CEO of CarriersEdge.

Large Carrier Recognition: Fortigo Freight Services

In the large carrier category, Fortigo Freight Services Inc., headquartered in Etobicoke, Ontario, earned its first Best Overall Fleet award after seven years in the Top 20.

Drivers pointed to professionalism and consistency as key reasons the company stands out. One anonymous survey response captured that sentiment clearly:

“I enjoy working with this company because of its commitment to excellence and the opportunities it provides to grow professionally, and its honesty, fairness, quality, and respect.”

For fleets operating at scale, maintaining that level of consistency across drivers, dispatch, and operations is no small task. Fortigo’s recognition shows what’s possible when those pieces come together.

Standing Out in a Tough Market

Across the board, this year’s winners were recognized for finding ways to support drivers despite ongoing industry challenges.

“Winning fleets found a way to ‘make a difference for drivers in a continuing difficult market,’” Jazrawy said. “While all of our Top 20 winners are leaders in the industry, these two fleets stand out with great programs and exceptional safety and retention scores.”

For both drivers and fleet managers, that message hits home. Retention, safety, and driver satisfaction are not separate goals. They are tied directly to how a company operates every day.

Hall of Fame Honors: FTC Transportation

Oklahoma-based FTC Transportation Inc. received the Stratosphere Award, recognizing the top-performing fleet within the Best Fleets Hall of Fame.

The company has been part of the Hall of Fame for five years and has earned Best Fleets recognition for 14 consecutive years. That level of consistency puts it in rare company.

The Hall of Fame category highlights fleets that sustain high standards over time. To qualify, companies must be named a Best Fleet for at least 10 straight years, or seven years with at least one overall win.

“Over the years, we’ve watched them continue to grow and innovate, and they are deserving winners of our third annual Stratosphere Award. As a fleet with 23 drivers, they are also proof that you don’t need to be big to offer great programs,” she said.

What This Means for Drivers and Fleets

The Best Fleets to Drive For program, now in its 18th year and run by CarriersEdge, evaluates companies based on real driver input and operational practices. Areas like pay, benefits, training, work-life balance, and communication all factor into the final rankings.

For drivers, these awards offer a snapshot of which companies are doing things right. For fleet leaders, they provide a benchmark for what it takes to build a workplace that keeps drivers on board.

At the end of the day, the fleets that rise to the top are the ones that listen, adapt, and follow through.

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