Four drivers were recently named TCA Highway Angels for their actions while on the road: Phil Damme of Online Transport, Owen Lewis of Sharp Transportation Inc., Marco Medel Morga of AAA Cooper Transportation, and John Bradley of James River Carriers.

Each was recognized for helping fellow motorists and drivers during emergencies, often before first responders arrived.

Recognizing professionalism beyond the wheel

As part of the honor, each Highway Angel receives a certificate, lapel pin, patches, and truck decals. Their employers are also presented with a certificate recognizing their driver’s actions.

Since the Highway Angels program began in 1997, nearly 1,400 professional drivers have been honored for acts of kindness, courage, and professionalism displayed while doing their jobs. The program is supported by presenting sponsor EpicVue, along with DriverFacts and Northland Insurance.

Drivers can be nominated for the program, and more information on current and past Highway Angel recipients is available at highwayangel.org.

Phil Damme steps in after a rollover

Shortly before 11 p.m. on October 5, 2025, Phil Damme was driving on Interstate 68 in Maryland when he noticed flickering headlights and sparks ahead near Ellicott City. As he slowed, he discovered an overturned semi blocking the roadway.

“He actually turned the whole thing over,” he said, referring to the driver of the crashed truck. “He ended up in the median.”

Damme was one of the first to arrive at the scene. He helped remove the shattered windshield to reach the injured driver trapped inside the cab. Seeing heavy bleeding from the man’s arm, Damme used his own belt as a tourniquet while waiting for emergency responders.

“He was bleeding pretty bad,” Damme said. “I put my belt up above his elbow and tightened it really, really tight to slow down the bleeding.”

Damme later said he believed he was in the right place at the right time and credited his faith for guiding his actions.

Owen Lewis stops to help after an early morning crash

On November 9, 2025, at around 6 a.m., Owen Lewis was traveling westbound on Interstate 80 near Harlan, Iowa, when he witnessed a car crash in the eastbound lanes. He pulled over immediately.

“When I got there, the car was about 100 feet or so off the side of the highway, down in an irrigation ditch,” he said.

Lewis found a young woman who had exited the vehicle. She was not injured but was cold. After contacting emergency services and her parents, she waited in Lewis’ truck to stay warm until the Iowa State Patrol arrived.

Her family later shared their appreciation with Lewis’ employer.

“We are very grateful for his kindness and how he kept her safe and warm until the state trooper got to the scene. Owen is a model employee who your company is lucky to have on board. We appreciate what he did for our daughter yesterday!” wrote Emily Truitt and Toby Knoop.

“I’ve always felt like if something happens, I need to stop and make sure everything is OK,” Lewis said.

Marco Medel Morga rescues passengers from a burning vehicle

Around 12:30 p.m. on July 15, 2025, Marco Medel Morga was traveling east on Interstate 88 near Kaneville, Illinois, when he witnessed a serious crash just ahead of him.

“I was so close to hitting them — but I got lucky,” he said.

Morga pulled over and ran to the scene, where one of the vehicles had caught fire.

“The car was on fire, and nobody was getting out of it,” Morga said. “I got nervous about the people in the car. I had to go help them.”

He helped one passenger escape from the burning vehicle. The other occupant was also able to exit safely before emergency crews arrived.

John Bradley prevents a medical emergency from escalating

On the morning of September 15, 2025, John Bradley was at a customer location in Richmond when he noticed another driver preparing to pull away after incorrectly hooking up to a trailer. After helping correct the issue, Bradley noticed the driver slump over the steering wheel as the truck began to roll forward.

“I called 911,” said Bradley. “I couldn’t leave him because I knew something was wrong.”

Bradley blocked traffic, climbed into the truck, and brought it to a stop. He stayed with the driver until emergency responders arrived and later learned the driver had experienced a blood sugar emergency.

“I’m glad he was all right,” Bradley said. “I stayed with him until the ambulance came.”

A reminder of what defines the profession

The Highway Angels program highlights moments that reflect the responsibility and character carried by professional drivers every day. These actions often go unseen, but they leave a lasting impact on the people involved.

This story originally appeared in the January February 2026 edition of Truckload Authority, the official publication of the Truckload Carriers Association.

Source: The Trucker

The post Highway Heroes in Action: TCA Highway Angels Make a Difference on the Road appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Their actions earned them the Truckload Carriers Association’s Highway Angel award, an honor reserved for professional drivers who go above and beyond to help others on the road.

On the morning of February 11, Ford was heading west on Highway 64 when he came across a car that had flipped onto its side and was starting to smoke. Inside were two women and a child trapped in the wreck.

Without hesitating, Ford parked his truck safely on the shoulder, called 911, and ran toward the vehicle. Almost at the same moment, another Penske driver, Dan Svec, arrived at the scene and stopped to assist.

“I almost cried right there because he stopped, because nobody else would,” Ford later recalled.

Working together with another motorist, the two drivers managed to free everyone from the car. Ford focused on helping the young boy, who seemed unharmed, while Svec pulled the two women out through a broken side window. One woman appeared to have a cut on her ankle, but thanks to their quick thinking and calm response, everyone made it out safely before emergency crews arrived.

“I’m glad we could be there to help,” Ford said.

Their story is a reminder of what truckers do best, showing courage, compassion, and professionalism even when off the clock.

Since its start in August 1997, the TCA Highway Angel program has recognized nearly 1,500 professional drivers who have stepped up during emergencies. Through the support of EpicVue, along with DriverFacts and Northland Insurance, the program continues to honor drivers like Ford and Svec who reflect the best of the trucking community.

For many in the industry, it is stories like this that highlight the real heart of trucking, being the one who pulls over when others do not.

Image Source: TCA, Truckers News

Other Source: Truckers News

The post Two Penske Drivers Recognized as Highway Angels After Rescuing Crash Victims appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

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.

This annual award is TCA’s way of recognizing and celebrating the incredible acts of bravery and kindness shown by professional truck drivers.

Out of five exceptional finalists, the top three with the most votes will be honored as the 2025 Highway Angels of the Year. These awards will be presented at the TCA Annual Convention, taking place March 15-18, 2025, in Phoenix.

Meet the 2025 TCA Highway Angels of the Year Finalists

TCA’s Highway Angels website highlights the inspiring stories behind this year’s impressive finalists:

• Andrew Inlow (Booneville, Miss., Maverick Transportation): Known for his generosity, Andrew spent $1,000 of his own money to feed hundreds of people in Asheville, N.C., who were affected by Hurricane Helene. He even went door-to-door at a Days Inn, offering food to guests in need.

• Jason Corino (Deltona, Fla., Melton Truck Lines): Jason made headlines for stopping his truck during a roadside traffic stop in Cortez, Colo., to shield motorists from an active shooter, putting his own life at risk to protect others.

• Michael Dorsey (Porter, Texas, Mercer Transportation Co.): Michael’s quick-thinking actions saved flood victims in Tennessee during the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. He used his trailer to shield and protect those stranded by historic rainfall.

• Joseph Carroll (London, Ontario, Canada, Elgin Motor Freight): Joseph demonstrated remarkable strength and compassion by rescuing a trucker trapped after a major crash. He lifted a heavy roof off the driver, who was buried under the truck’s contents. Since the incident, Joseph has stayed in touch with the driver he saved.

• Daljit Sohi (Triple Eight Transport Inc.): Daljit didn’t just stop at a good deed — when he noticed a woman had dropped her purse at a rest stop, he drove three hours to return it. The purse contained $1,100 in cash, a gold chain, credit cards, and identification. Despite being offered $500 as a reward, Daljit refused any payment.

Cast Your Vote Today!

Help select the 2025 Highway Angels of the Year by casting your vote today! click here to vote.

About the Highway Angels Program

With the support of sponsors like EpicVue, DriverFacts, and Northland Insurance, TCA recognizes over 75 Highway Angels each year. Since the program’s inception in 1997, more than 1,300 professional drivers have been honored for their acts of kindness and heroism.

About TCA

The Truckload Carriers Association, headquartered in Alexandria, Va., represents operators of nearly 210,000 trucks and generates more than $38 billion in annual truckload revenue.

Celebrate the heroes of the road—vote now and show your support for these extraordinary professional drivers!

Source: Land Line

The post Voting Now Open for TCA Highway Angels of the Year Award 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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