The incident happened on April 11 shortly after 5 a.m. while Hunt was traveling westbound through the area.

According to TCA, Hunt noticed a large dust cloud near the shoulder before realizing a Honda sedan had overturned off the roadway.

“I saw a dust cloud and checked the shoulder, and the vehicle was upside down,” said Hunt. “I put on my hazards, grabbed my flashlight, and went over to check on him.”

Crash Scene Response Happened Before Emergency Crews Arrived

After safely parking his truck, Hunt walked over to check on the driver involved in the crash.

TCA said Hunt noticed the motorist appeared disoriented and performed what the association described as a concussion check while assessing the situation.

Although the driver reportedly believed medical assistance was unnecessary, Hunt contacted emergency services and stayed at the scene until responders arrived.

“He looked shell-shocked, and I could tell something wasn’t right,” Hunt said. “Even though he didn’t think he needed help, I called emergency services anyway—better safe than sorry, especially with adrenaline.”

The association credited Hunt for remaining calm during the situation and continuing to monitor the driver while waiting for emergency personnel.

Highway Angel Recognition Program Continues Highlighting Drivers

TCA launched the Highway Angel program in 1997 to recognize professional truck drivers who step in during emergencies or assist others while working on the road.

According to the association, nearly 1,500 drivers have received Highway Angel recognition since the program began.

The organization said Hunt’s actions stood out because he immediately stopped to help after spotting the overturned vehicle during the early morning hours along Interstate 58.

The Highway Angel program continues with support from EpicVue, DriverFacts, and Northland Insurance.

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use.

Last updated: May 21, 2026

Source: Truckers News

Source: Nigel Hunt, TCA, Truckers News

The post ABF Freight Driver Honored After Assisting Motorist in Early Morning California Crash appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The Highway Angel program, launched in 1997, highlights professional drivers who step in during critical moments. Presented by TCA in partnership with EpicVue, the program has recognized nearly 1,500 drivers across North America.

Michael Alpine Responds to Early Morning Rollover

Michael Alpine of ABF Freight was driving near Gustine around 4 a.m. when he saw a truck lose control.

“I saw the brake lights of the truck come on and then immediately swerve… and then it started rolling over,” Alpine said.

He contacted emergency services and worked to secure the area before assisting those involved. The driver remained conscious but reported neck and back pain, while two passengers had visible injuries, including head trauma. Alpine stayed at the scene until help arrived.

“It’s always a good day when people can walk away from a crash,” Alpine said. “You can replace material things — you can’t replace people. I encourage everybody to get first aid and CPR training,” he added. “Sometimes we are the first responders out there.”

Anthony Dunne Stops After Spotting Crash in Louisiana

Anthony Dunne of Maverick Transportation was traveling along Highway 65 near Transylvania at about 2 a.m. when he encountered debris in the road.

After maneuvering around a large branch, he noticed a heavily damaged truck off the roadway nearby.

“Honestly I didn’t think that anybody was going to be okay from that one,” said Dunne. “I really thought that was going to be a DOA scene.”

He found the driver trapped but conscious. With the location being remote, it took roughly 45 minutes for emergency crews to arrive. The driver was eventually removed with minor injuries.

“I couldn’t just drive by if there was something I could do,” Dunne said.

Scott Derrick Acts Quickly at Vehicle Fire in California

Scott Derrick, also with ABF Freight, came across a vehicle fire around 2:30 a.m. on Interstate 15 near Oak Hills.

“I feel like God told me ‘It’s time for you to go to work’,” Derrick said.

He stopped and grabbed a fire extinguisher from his truck. A UPS driver involved in the incident was already helping people out of a burning vehicle, but one person remained trapped.

“I got out with the fire extinguisher and thought, ‘I’m old, I’ve lived my life’.”

Derrick was able to reach the vehicle and pull the injured individual to safety.

“I just thought, he’s not going to die while I’m here tonight,” Derrick said.

Recognition Built on Real Moments

Each of these situations unfolded in low visibility conditions during overnight hours, when traffic is lighter but response times can be longer. In those moments, the actions taken by drivers on scene often make the difference before emergency crews arrive.

The Highway Angel program continues to spotlight those decisions and the role professional drivers play beyond moving freight.

The post Three Truck Drivers Recognized for Highway Angel Honors in March appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

A Community in Need

On September 27, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Andrew and several fellow truck drivers found themselves stranded in Candler, North Carolina, just outside Asheville. Hurricane Helene had crippled the region, leaving roads impassable, cutting off power, and isolating communities without communication or access to necessities. Parked at a TA Truck Stop, the truckers faced the common challenge of finding food amidst the devastation.

Andrew recalled, “We had a driver who was delivering hamburgers to restaurants in the area, so he actually opened up his unit and pulled out a box of hamburgers and started cooking for all the truck drivers.”

Inspired by this act of generosity, Andrew and others decided to take things further. The following day, he drove into Asheville with a group of drivers to search for supplies. They purchased another grill with a mission to prepare food for anyone in need.

“The food’s gonna go bad anyway, so that kind of kicked everything into motion,” Andrew explained.

Going Beyond Expectations

Andrew’s commitment extended well beyond the truck stop. He went door-to-door at a nearby Days Inn, asking guests if they were in need of food. Among the guests was Dianna Sains, traveling with her family to assist in a cross-country move. Stranded without food or water for nearly three days, Dianna overheard the news about food being shared by the truckers. She soon connected with Andrew, who ensured her family had access to what they needed.

“They had no food and no real water for almost three days,” Andrew said. Dianna expressed her gratitude for the truckers’ generosity, saying, “She got all excited because these big scary truck drivers were trying to give away food.”

Andrew also purchased snacks, chips, and drinks from the TA Truck Stop using his own funds—spending roughly $1,000 in total. Over the course of nearly five days, Andrew estimates that he and the other truckers helped feed around 150 stranded individuals.

Although he devoted most of his time to helping others, Andrew revealed that his own well-being took a backseat. “I hardly ate,” he admitted. “I actually had drivers that I had become friends with who forced me to eat because my mind was on everybody else.”

A Legacy of Kindness

Without the swift actions and generosity of Andrew and the group of truck drivers, the local community in Candler would have faced even greater challenges in those early, critical days following the hurricane.

“I always tried to stay on the positive side because there’s no reason to be negative and cause anybody to be negative,” Andrew shared. “I just did what anybody else should do.”

Recognizing Everyday Heroes

Andrew’s determination to help others aligns with the spirit of the TCA Highway Angel program. Since its launch in 1997, nearly 1,400 professional truck drivers have been honored as Highway Angels for their extraordinary acts of kindness, courage, and thoughtfulness while on the job. The program, with support from EpicVue, DriverFacts, and Northland Insurance, celebrates drivers like Andrew who go above and beyond for others.

Source: Truckers News

Image: Truckers News

The post Maverick Driver Earns TCA Highway Angel Honor for Feeding Hurricane Victims appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.