Joshua Chieka, a 37-year-old truck driver from Piedmont, Ohio, was recently awarded the Carnegie Medal for heroism. He was one of 17 people recognized for extraordinary actions taken to save lives while facing extreme danger.

What happened on Interstate 70

The incident occurred on November 14, 2023, on Interstate 70 near Etna, Ohio. A tour bus carrying 52 high school students and three faculty members was traveling to a band event when it was struck from behind by a tractor-trailer. The crash caused a fire that spread from the tractor-trailer and a second vehicle into the rear of the bus.

The National Transportation Safety Board later determined that driver inattention caused the crash. Investigators found that the tractor-trailer hit a line of stopped traffic that had slowed because of an earlier collision. The crash ultimately killed six people and injured more than 40 others.

A rescue under extreme conditions

As the fire grew, most of the bus passengers were able to escape. One student, Brynn Goedel, was not able to get out on her own. At the moment of impact, she had been standing in the aisle attempting to reach the restroom. The force of the collision threw her about 15 feet and caused severe injuries that left her unable to move.

Chieka was driving nearby when he saw flames coming from the bus. He stopped immediately and ran toward it. After learning from chaperones that students were still inside, he entered the bus through the open door.

Inside, thick smoke filled the interior from floor to ceiling. Chieka crouched low and moved roughly 30 feet toward the rear of the bus, reaching out through the smoke to locate anyone who might still be trapped. He eventually felt Brynn and pulled her toward the front of the bus while staying low to avoid the smoke.

With help from chaperones, Chieka moved her to the shoulder of the highway. Emergency responders later transported her to a nearby hospital.

The injuries and recovery

Brynn Goedel suffered extensive injuries, including multiple pelvic fractures, broken ribs, a fractured clavicle, a lacerated bladder, burns to her face and left arm, and a concussion. She spent 43 days in the hospital and underwent four surgeries before recovering.

Chieka also suffered injuries during the rescue. He inhaled smoke and sustained a small burn on his right forearm. He received treatment at a nearby hospital and later recovered.

Legal outcome of the crash

Jacob D. McDonald, 61, the driver of the tractor-trailer involved in the crash, was later convicted of vehicular homicide. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison and is expected to be released next month.

What the Carnegie Medal represents

The Carnegie Medal is awarded across the United States and Canada to individuals who knowingly risk their lives to save others. Since the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission was established in 1904 by Andrew Carnegie, the medal has been awarded to 10,545 people.

In addition to the honor itself, recipients or their surviving family members receive financial grants. Over the past 121 years, the Fund has distributed more than 45 million dollars in grants, scholarships, death benefits, and ongoing assistance.

Why this matters to truck drivers

For professional drivers, moments like this underscore the responsibility that comes with being on the road. While crashes and emergencies are never part of the job description, truck drivers are often among the first people on scene when something goes wrong.

Chieka’s actions show how training, awareness, and the willingness to act can make the difference between life and death. His recognition serves as a reminder that professionalism in trucking extends beyond the cab and into the choices drivers make when others need help most.

Source: Truckers News

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Cheatham, an operations manager and driver for Alex D Delivery out of Salt Lake City, runs regular routes between Utah and Los Angeles. On one of those runs, he saw firsthand the destruction left behind by the Palisades and Eaton fires. Entire neighborhoods were wiped out, and families were stranded with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

Instead of heading home with an empty trailer, Cheatham decided to fill it with donations.

A Driver Steps Up

On January 7, just two days after the Palisades fire broke out, Cheatham posted a message on Facebook.

“Hey guys! I run an empty semi to Los Angeles 2 to 3 times a week, and we want to help the people there who have been displaced, etc. Are there any businesses that would like to donate food or water, and we can transport them all? We’d love to help out. We have plenty of space, so please spread the word for all those who might want to help.”

By the time he got home to Utah, donations were already rolling in. Volunteers and small businesses stepped up, loading his trailer with bottled water, food, diapers, pet supplies, and other essentials. The response grew so quickly that Cheatham soon needed multiple trips to move everything.

“I want to thank everyone who has volunteered, donated, prayed, or given words of encouragement to us,” he wrote later. “None of this would be possible without you, wonderful people. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. We’re truly making a difference to the people of L.A.”

Utah Truckers and Businesses Join the Effort

Around 30 businesses joined Cheatham’s mission. His wife, Mackenzy, and his father, Karl, helped coordinate donations while his employer, Alex D Delivery, provided key support.

“While Landon spearheaded the project, Alex D Delivery provided the tractor-trailer along with covering the majority of the financial costs,” said company owner Alex Dettenmaier. “We did receive some financial donations to help pay for fuel. We were grateful for that and grateful for our community stepping up with donations for the fire victims. Landon organized a few donation drives, and we were honored to hold one of those at our warehouse, along with warehousing donations waiting to go out.”

The Impact on the Ground

Cheatham partnered with Lifting Hands International, a nonprofit that ships aid to people in crisis.

“Someone connected us with Landon, who generously volunteered to drive the aid to California for free. We were thrilled; his help made it possible for us to send far more relief than we otherwise could have. Without him, we likely would have been able to send only one or two truckloads,” said Traci Parson, Utah operations director at Lifting Hands.

With Cheatham’s help, that number jumped to seven truckloads carrying a total of 83,300 donated items valued at nearly one million dollars.

“Because of his efforts, we were able to send shipments of aid every week,” Parson added. “As the needs in California changed frequently, we received updates and were able to quickly send the most needed items each week. His kindness and determination turned what could have been a small response into a large-scale relief effort that brought comfort and hope to thousands of families.”

From the Cab to the Community

When Cheatham arrived in Los Angeles, he worked with Michelle Manos, executive director of the Community Solidarity Project.

“Even after his long drives, he was always in a great mood, ready to hop in and help, ready with a joke,” Manos said. “And he really did all of this for the right reason, because people needed help and he saw a pathway to help those people.”

Their teamwork continued for months as Cheatham kept hauling in donated goods on a weekly and sometimes biweekly schedule.

“What Landon did helped move L.A. forward as we began to grapple with the severity of the damage,” Manos said. “He created an opportunity so that people who didn’t know what to do or how to help suddenly had a way to help. It gave our organization a way to respond, and it gave the community members ways to volunteer with purpose. It ultimately created a need to better organize the abundance he was bringing, which led to us opening our free store called the Really Really Free 99, which is still in operation today.”

A Driver’s Determination

For Cheatham, the chance to give back came through the same career that gave him a second start.

After a serious arm injury left him unable to keep working in an autobody shop, he joined Alex D Delivery in 2018. He started out driving box trucks and earned his CDL three years later.

“I had to find something to pay the bills,” he said. “My buddy got hired as a driver mechanic, and I started at the company with a box truck.”

Today, he serves as operations manager but still gets behind the wheel when needed.

“I hope I made a positive impact,” Cheatham said. “I was surprised by the generosity of the people in Utah. Everyone was asking what they could do. No one cared about price or gave a thought to what they would gain.”

His boss, Dettenmaier, could not agree more. “We are proud we were able to serve the community of Los Angeles and proud of the big heart our Landon Cheatham has,” he said.

Parson added, “Landon’s example shows that when you see a need in your community and feel passionate about helping, your actions, no matter how small they may seem, can ripple outward and change lives. He is truly a hero trucker and a remarkable role model. He used his skills and resources to serve others extraordinarily, inspiring countless people to step up and help, too.”

Manos summed it up best. “When disaster strikes or injustice occurs, everyone is needed. Never think your skills aren’t a fit. Never think you’re too far or too disconnected. We’re all connected. Truckers move the world, and we’re all in this together. When you can, help someone.”

Image Source: Landon Cheatham, Transport Topics

Other Source: Transport Topics

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“Commercial truck drivers are not only at the center of the supply chain industry, but they also act as vigilant guardians of the roads, ready to assist others in need,” stated Joe Burke, vice president of Goodyear North America Commercial business. “For over four decades, the Goodyear Highway Hero Award program has celebrated remarkable contributions of professional truck drivers who have acted selflessly for the good of others on the road.”

If you know a truck driver whose story reflects outstanding courage or compassion, now is the time to put their name forward. The nomination period is open until December 31, and submissions are invited from CDL holders in various capacities, including long-haul, regional delivery, vocational vehicles, and dump trucks. Since it started in 1983, the award has acknowledged those who not only carry out their daily tasks but also enhance highway safety for all.

Award winners and finalists will be honored in 2025, with exciting prizes set for these exceptional individuals. The ultimate winner will receive a cash prize and an unforgettable ride on the legendary Goodyear Blimp. Finalists will also be rewarded with cash prizes in recognition of their commendable actions.

Eligibility Criteria and Nomination Process

To be eligible, nominees should be:

• Full-time commercial drivers with a current CDL

• Residents of either the United States or Canada

• Operators of vehicles with rim sizes exceeding 19 inches

• Recognized for an act of heroism conducted while on duty between January 1 and December 31, 2024

A panel of judges will thoroughly review all nominations, selecting the Highway Hero and up to two finalists based on approved submissions.

For more information, access nomination forms, and review complete eligibility criteria, visit Goodyear’s official Highway Hero Award webpage here.

This initiative reflects Goodyear’s profound respect for the trucking sector, honoring the vital contributions of professional drivers in maintaining road safety and ensuring the seamless operation of supply chains.

Source: The Trucker

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