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.

The post From Behind the Wheel to the Spotlight: Jay Hosty Becomes a 2025 Citizen Driver appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

These heroes were officially recognized at a special awards luncheon on March 17 at TCA’s annual convention in Phoenix, Arizona. The awards are made possible through sponsorship from EpicVue and Northland Insurance.

Meet the 2024 TCA Highway Angels of the Year:

Jason Corino

On November 29, 2023, while driving on US 491 in Cortez, Colorado, Jason Corino found himself in the middle of a horrifying road rage incident that escalated into an attack on a police officer. Corino saw a suspect get out of their vehicle and open fire on the officer during a traffic stop. Acting without hesitation, Corino slammed on his brakes to halt traffic behind him, potentially saving numerous lives. His truck’s camera captured the shocking incident and became key evidence in the investigation. Tragically, the officer did not survive, and the suspect was later fatally shot by law enforcement. Corino’s quick thinking and decisive actions were instrumental in protecting others on the road and assisting the investigation.

Michael Dorsey

September 26, 2024, was a day of disaster in Erwin, Tennessee, as Hurricane Helene’s floodwaters rose rapidly and overwhelmed the area. Loading his flatbed truck at the time, Michael Dorsey quickly realized the danger. He allowed 10 people seeking safety to find refuge on his truck trailer. The floodwaters soon swept the group away, forcing everyone to cling to the trailer for survival. Knocked unconscious at one point, Dorsey did not give up. His bravery and determination ultimately saved six lives in a chaotic and life-threatening situation. Dorsey is a shining example of resilience and selflessness in the face of disaster.

Daljit Sohi

On November 29, 2024, while driving from Banff to Salmon Arm, Canada, Daljit Sohi witnessed a woman accidentally drop her purse at a rest stop. The purse contained $1,100 in cash, a gold chain, and essential personal belongings. Sohi selflessly retrieved the purse and pursued the woman and her family for three hours to return it. When he finally caught up and gave the purse back intact, the woman offered him a reward, which he declined. Sohi’s act of kindness and integrity underscores his immense generosity, earning him a well-deserved spot as a Highway Angel.

Celebrating Their Heroism

These extraordinary individuals were each honored with a complimentary EpicVue satellite TV package. The package includes a 24-inch flatscreen TV, a DVR, and a one-year subscription to DIRECTV, which features over 100 channels, including HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, and NFL Sunday Ticket.

About the TCA Highway Angel Program

Since 1997, the TCA Highway Angel program has recognized professional truck drivers who go above and beyond to assist or protect others. Each year, a select group of these drivers is celebrated for embodying the program’s values of kindness, bravery, and selflessness, and one is chosen as Highway Angel of the Year.

To learn more about the TCA Highway Angel program or to nominate a deserving driver, visit www.highwayangel.org.

The TCA Highway Angel program is made possible through sponsorship from EpicVue, Northland Insurance, and DriverFacts.

Source: Truckers News
Image Sources: Truckers News

The post Three Outstanding Truck Drivers Honored with TCA’s Highway Angel of the Year Awards appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.