Getting Help When You Needed It Most

Jeff Williamson recalled a trip from Reno to Las Vegas when he realized he had left his book of permits at a cashier’s counter. Another driver overheard the situation, caught up with him on the road, and returned the permits. “I had a very long nap, but it saved me from driving another unpaid thousand miles,” he shared.

Thomas Nkovah remembered getting stuck in the mud on a back road in North Carolina. A fellow driver pulled him out and refused any payment, saying simply, “Pass it on.”

Dawne Dynes-McGee shared a story about her car breaking down on Highway 70 in Indiana. A driver stopped, arranged for a part to be delivered, helped fix her car, and even followed her for a while to make sure she got safely on her way.

Deborah Davis recounted being helped by a fellow truck driver in Arizona during a summer heatwave. She had run out of water, and another driver guided her to a safe spot, brought her cold water, and stayed with her until she felt better.

Small Gestures with Big Impact

Jer Weber shared a heartwarming encounter in a Walmart parking lot. An elderly woman gave him five dollars to buy a warm meal from the deli. He initially tried to return it, explaining he was not homeless, but she insisted, and he enjoyed some chicken wings thanks to her generosity.

Diana Mills told how a man stopped when she needed just a bit of oil to get home. He had exactly the amount she needed and quietly helped her get back on the road.

John Marcum remembered delivering lumber in San Diego, where a woman brought him lunch and free empanadas he had never tried before.

Luiz Kinceski shared a story of stopping at a rest area and being invited by an older couple in an RV to join them for lunch. He still remembers their kindness decades later.

Protecting Others in Dangerous Situations

Caroline Kelly recalled a time while driving cross-country when a group of bikers protected her from a harassing car trying to run her off the road. They stayed with her until she was safe, then disappeared.

Teresa Simonson described being trapped by severe winds in her vehicle. Seven semis and numerous cars passed, but two men stopped, held her door open, and helped her escape. She credits their timely intervention for keeping her safe.

Richard Wilkerson remembered finding three women stranded on the side of the road in freezing weather in Michigan. He loaded them into his truck and got them to safety before continuing his delivery.

Acts of Generosity That Go Beyond the Road

Brendan LeBaige shared how he bought a meal and motel nights for a homeless man he saw at a truck stop, leaving a lasting impression on both of them.

James Clark helped a pregnant young lady who ran out of gas on I-77 in North Carolina. He filled her car with fuel, made sure it started, and refused payment. She cried, hugged him, and promised to pray for him.

Rex McIntyre told the story of changing a flat tire for a woman late at night. Twenty-five years later, they are together.

Nanette Windley shared a heartwarming story from Iowa. Lost at night with her four children, a trucker offered to guide them safely to their destination. His truck was lit up brightly, and he stayed with them until they were safely back on the road.

Lessons from the Road

The stories shared by Truck Drivers USA members highlight that acts of kindness do not always need to be grand, but they often arrive at just the right time. Whether it is helping someone in danger, offering food or water, or simply guiding a lost driver to safety, these moments leave lasting impressions.

Join the Truck Drivers USA Community

If these stories inspire you, join the Truck Drivers USA community. Connect with fellow drivers, share your own experiences, and be part of a network that values safety, generosity, and the human side of life on the road.

The post Truck Drivers USA Community Shares Real Stories of Kindness on the Road appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

From Art to the Open Road

Jo Lynn “JJ” Kelley’s career path was anything but conventional. Starting out in art and accounting, Kelley decided to take a leap into the trucking world to combine her entrepreneurial spirit with her love for travel. Her ultimate goal? To spread kindness and joy wherever she goes. Reflecting on her spiritual outlook, Kelley shares, “I absolutely loved driving that big rig all over the United States. Throughout the miles, trials, and tribulations since entering this industry, my spirituality has deepened to a complete and unwavering reliance upon God and all His promises in the Bible. With God, all things are possible.”

400,000 Miles and Counting

Now in her sixth year as a professional driver, Kelley has logged over 400,000 safe miles—a milestone she attributes to her faith and dedication. “I may drive an 18-wheeler, but in my cab, God is truly in charge of that 19th wheel,” she expresses.

Finding Her Path in Trucking

Kelley kickstarted her trucking career with Schneider National, driving long-haul routes that spanned 47 states in the U.S. Her decision to join Schneider was based on the company’s federal safety rating, diverse freight options, and acceptance of new drivers fresh out of trucking school. Over time, she mastered skills in dry van hauling, tanker transport, flatbed operations, and even teaming.

Transforming Challenges Into Compassion

The early days of Kelley’s career weren’t without their difficulties. At one point, she felt overwhelmed and considered giving up. Yet, through prayer and reflection, she realized the power of stepping outside her own struggles to help others. Kelley began creating wallet-sized cards with uplifting messages, leaving them at truck stops and rest areas for anyone who might need a reminder of their worth. This act of kindness sparked a larger initiative, complete with $5 coffee gift cards and trivia games that encouraged recipients to “pay it forward.” Her employer was so impressed that they supported her efforts by contributing more gift cards to expand the campaign.

Blending Art and Trucking

With a knack for creativity that she honed during her artistic career, Kelley penned two interactive trucking books, Trucking with JJ: Volume 1 and Volume 2. These photo-based books include short stories and QR codes linking to video content, offering readers an inspiring glimpse into life on the road. Both volumes are available to download for free.

A New Chapter with Walmart

After years of long-haul driving, Kelley transitioned to Walmart’s private fleet, drawn to their emphasis on safety and work-life balance. Now a regional driver, she appreciates the home time and the supportive community of experienced professionals. “The walls in all of our distribution centers are packed with plaques of 500,000-mile, 1 million-mile, 3 million-mile, and higher driver careers,” Kelley noted. “I feel humbled and honored to be among such a stable and safety-driven family of truckers.”

Through her role at Walmart, Kelley also became an integral part of WIT’s outreach efforts. She drives the WITney Educational Trailer to various events, operating the truck-driving simulator inside and inspiring visitors to explore opportunities in the industry.

Championing Diversity in Trucking

Kelley is passionate about spreading the word on how trucking can offer a rewarding career path for people from all walks of life. The hiring age is simply 18+, and there are no gender, racial, educational, or spiritual boundaries. “Virtually every tangible item has been on a truck at one point in time, so the world will always need safe professional drivers.”

Faith as a Driving Force

Reflecting on her journey, Kelley acknowledges the challenges she’s faced but credits her faith for grounding her. “My trucking career path has seen me in tears, anger, doubts, and confusion,” she explained. “God always restores me to a peaceful inner joy with new insights on navigating a life of abundance that I never dreamed—or perhaps, never allowed myself to dream of.”

Life Beyond the Road

When she’s not behind the wheel, Kelley resides on an award-winning equestrian horse farm nestled in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Though retired from her artistic endeavors—including painting, photography, and blogging—she continues to seek out new hobbies, experiences, and friendships. With a life brimming with adventure and gratitude, Kelley remains an extraordinary example of the warmth and resilience that Women in Trucking celebrates.

Jo Lynn “JJ” Kelley’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, faith, and an unwavering commitment to uplifting others. Through her efforts on and off the road, she’s leaving an indelible mark on the trucking industry.

Source: The Trucker

Image: WIT

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This prestigious program honors professional truck drivers who have gone above and beyond to show remarkable bravery, kindness, and courtesy while navigating the nation’s roadways. The top three individuals will be celebrated at the TCA 2025 Annual Convention, scheduled for March 15-18 in Phoenix, Arizona.

For this year’s awards, five extraordinary finalists have been chosen. The decision is now in your hands — cast your vote to help select the three drivers who will earn the title of TCA Highway Angels of the Year.

Meet the 2024 Finalists:

• Andrew Inlow (Maverick Transportation)

• Jason Corino (Melton Truck Lines)

• Michael Dorsey (Mercer Transportation)

• Joseph Carroll (Elgin Motor Freight)

• Daljit Sohi (Triple Eight Transport)

Each of these incredible drivers has an inspiring story of courage and kindness, showcasing the best of what it means to be a professional in the trucking industry.

Read their stories and vote for your favorite finalist here.

Make your voice heard and celebrate the heroes of the road!

Source: Overdrive

The post Cast Your Vote for TCA Highway Angel of the Year appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Here’s what happened:

On November 29, Shailly James from High River, Alberta, was traveling with her 4-year-old child on the route between Banff and Salmon Arm. During a brief roadside stop near Golden, British Columbia, James unknowingly dropped her purse, which contained $1,100 in cash, a gold chain, credit cards, and her identification.

Unaware of the loss, James continued her drive, but Daljit Sohi happened to witness the incident. Determined to reunite the lost purse with its rightful owner, he followed her vehicle for over three hours.

Initially, James was concerned when she noticed a truck following her vehicle. However, when she stopped at a gas station in Sicamous to refuel, Sohi approached her and explained that he had found her purse. To her immense relief, all of its contents remained intact.

“I was so happy and thankful,” James shared. “He found it, and nothing was missing. I even tried to give him $500 as a reward, but he didn’t take it.”

Sohi’s act of integrity did not go unnoticed. Though he declined the reward, James expressed her intentions to send a thank-you gift to his company office as a gesture of appreciation.

The TCA Highway Angel program, established in 1997, has recognized nearly 1,400 professional truck drivers like Daljit Sohi for their extraordinary acts of kindness, bravery, and courtesy on the road. Thanks to the program’s sponsors—EpicVue, DriverFacts, and Northland Insurance—these selfless individuals receive the recognition they truly deserve.

Daljit Sohi’s actions remind us of the integrity and respect professional truck drivers bring to their daily roles.

Source: Truckers News

The post Truck Driver Daljit Sohi Honored as TCA Highway Angel for Returning Lost Purse After Three-Hour Journey appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The TCA reported the incident occurred on October 4th, around 3 p.m., in Peninsula, Ohio. A woman found herself stranded with her SUV on the edge of Seasons Road when Thomas, driving for ABF Freight based in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, noticed her distress and decided to help.

“She was kind of almost halfway in the intersection,” explained Thomas. “I hopped out and asked her if she had a spare tire? And she said yes — that’s what I did — I changed her tire.”

He spent approximately 20 minutes ensuring she was safely out of harm’s way, changing the tire, and providing reassurance.

“It’s just kindness, it’s just my nature,” Thomas mentioned. “I try to be a gentleman — I’m a truck driver and that’s what we do.”

Since its launch in August 1997, the TCA Highway Angel initiative has acknowledged nearly 1,400 truck drivers for their extraordinary acts of kindness, courtesy, and bravery while on duty. This program is made possible thanks to EpicVue, the presenting sponsor, along with DriverFacts and Northland Insurance, who support honoring exceptional drivers like Thomas.

Source: Truckers News

Image:TCA

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