Patrick Fluegel, a driver for Crosslin Trucking, received the recognition after stopping at a crash on Interstate 65 near Franklin, Tennessee. He helped free a fellow trucker who was trapped inside the cab, suspended by his seat belt and unable to release it.

The rescue took place July 6, but TCA recently shared Fluegel’s account while announcing his Highway Angel recognition.

Driver Stops After Witnessing Crash on Interstate 65

Fluegel was returning to a lumber yard after completing a delivery when he noticed two dump trucks traveling ahead of him. At approximately 9:30 a.m., just south of the Interstate 840 interchange, one of the trucks suddenly veered off the highway.

The truck went down an embankment and overturned onto its side. Fluegel later told TCA that he wasn’t certain whether a mechanical failure or tire problem had caused the crash.

He immediately pulled over and ran toward the damaged truck. Inside, he found the driver conscious but hanging from his seat belt, unable to release the buckle.

Fluegel initially tried reaching him through the upper portion of the overturned vehicle. When that proved unsuccessful, he kicked out a window and climbed into the cab.

With the driver suspended against the restraint, Fluegel lifted him enough to relieve the pressure on the seat belt. He then released the buckle and helped him out of the truck.

Injured Driver Receives Assistance

Once both men were outside, Fluegel helped the injured driver reach another motorist’s vehicle, where he could sit while awaiting assistance.

Fluegel remained at the scene until the Tennessee Highway Patrol arrived. Later that day, he learned the other driver had survived but sustained multiple fractures involving his pelvis and hip.

Reflecting on his decision to stop, Fluegel told TCA that he acted on instinct.

“Somebody was going to have to stop, and I stopped that day,” he said.

His actions earned him recognition through TCA’s Highway Angel program, which highlights professional truck drivers who assist others during emergencies or provide exceptional help while working.

TCA Highway Angel Program Recognizes Drivers Who Help Others

The Truckload Carriers Association established the Highway Angel program in 1997. Since then, nearly 1,500 professional truck drivers have received recognition for acts of kindness, assistance, and courage on the road.

The program recognizes incidents involving professional drivers who go beyond their regular responsibilities to help fellow motorists, other truckers, and members of the public.

EpicVue serves as the program’s presenting sponsor, with DriverFacts and Northland Insurance providing additional support.

For Fluegel, the recognition follows a rescue that began with a decision to stop when another truck driver needed help. His quick response allowed him to reach the injured man inside the overturned cab and get him out before emergency personnel arrived.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: November 4, 2026

Source: Truckers News

Image Source: TCA, Patrick Fluegel

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The Truckload Carriers Association recently named Lamar Buckwalter, a professional driver with Buckwalter Trucking LLC, a TCA Highway Angel, following the April 2 crash on Route 34 during high-wind conditions affecting commercial vehicles across the region.

Driver Saw Tanker Lose Control During Wind Advisory

Buckwalter was traveling eastbound around 2 a.m. when he saw a tanker truck several vehicle lengths ahead suddenly veer off course before overturning.

The crash sent sparks, debris, and dust into the roadway as the tanker rolled.

“I’ve always believed that God puts us in the right places at the right times. Tonight, he proved this once again,” said Buckwalter. “All I could hear was the driver screaming, ‘Get me out of here, I’m hauling hazmat!’”

After stopping safely, Buckwalter ran toward the overturned truck and made contact with the injured driver inside the cab.

According to TCA, the driver initially told Buckwalter he was trapped but not pinned before becoming unresponsive moments later.

Driver Pulled from Overturned Tanker

Buckwalter broke through the windshield and pulled the driver from the overturned truck while debris and leaking engine fluids surrounded the wreckage.

The driver regained consciousness after being removed from the cab. Because the tanker was carrying hazardous materials, both men moved farther away from the vehicle while another motorist contacted emergency responders.

Buckwalter remained with the injured driver, who suffered bruising and head injuries, until first responders arrived at the scene.

TCA said Buckwalter later accompanied the driver in the ambulance so he could contact family members and his employer, and then provided a statement to law enforcement investigators.

“The officer told me he was very impressed with how quickly everything happened,” said Buckwalter. “I just did what I hope anyone else would do in that situation.”

Highway Angel Recognition Highlights Actions At Crash Scene

The TCA Highway Angel program recognizes truck drivers for acts of courage, courtesy, and public service while working on the road.

The association said nearly 1,500 professional drivers have received Highway Angel recognition since the program launched in 1997.

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 15, 2026

Source: Truckers News

Image Source: TCA, Truckers News, Lamar Buckwalter

The post TCA Honors Colorado Driver After HazMat Tanker Rescue Near Greeley appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Tkachuk, who drives for Trimac Transportation out of Calgary and is based in Edmonton, has been named a TCA Highway Angel for jumping into action when a young motorist suffered a medical emergency and went down.

It happened on May 5, when Tkachuk noticed a vehicle pulled onto the shoulder. What he saw next stopped him in his tracks.

“On the side of the road, I saw a vehicle and two young people were helping a young man, probably about 25, who was on the ground,” he recalled. “I didn’t see anyone else, so I thought that I should stop.”

Tkachuk quickly assessed the scene. The man was unresponsive, and his younger brother, visibly distraught, was trying to perform CPR. That’s when Tkachuk stepped in and took over.

“I was trained in CPR, and I was hoping that I wouldn’t have to use it in my life, but I needed to use it,” he said. “I was doing chest compressions for this guy who was on the ground.”

With emergency services still en route, the bystanders held a phone on speaker so Tkachuk could follow the dispatcher’s instructions while performing CPR. He continued compressions for nearly 20 minutes until first responders arrived to take over.

“I was hoping to see if he survived or not, but I don’t know,” Tkachuk shared. “I was doing what I was trained to do.”

Though the outcome remains unknown, his actions that day were nothing short of heroic—and the Truckload Carriers Association took notice.

In honoring Tkachuk as a Highway Angel, the TCA recognized not just the CPR itself, but the selflessness, calm under pressure, and willingness to stop for someone in need.

Stories like these are why many in the industry say trucking isn’t just a job—it’s a calling. Drivers like Tkachuk aren’t just moving freight; they’re making a difference where it matters most.

To read more about professional drivers who’ve stepped up in emergencies, visit the Highway Angel program page.

Image Source: TCA
Source: The Trucker

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Driving for ABF Freight, based in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Campbell’s selflessness during a critical moment has not gone unnoticed.

The Incident

On March 26, Campbell was traveling along Highway 31 in West Point, Kentucky, when he encountered the aftermath of a serious collision between a pickup truck and a dump truck. The impact caused the dump truck to roll onto its passenger side. Upon seeing the crash, Campbell stopped immediately to offer assistance.

According to Campbell, the situation was dire. He discovered the dump truck driver trapped inside the vehicle’s cab.

“He was too big to go through the windshield,” Campbell explained. “The guy was hurt; he was lying on the passenger door area there.”

Amid alarming signs of danger, including oil and coolant leaking from the truck and smoke rising from the engine, Campbell sprang into action. Concerned about the possibility of a fire, he quickly began planning the driver’s rescue.

The Rescue Effort

Campbell utilized an ABF strap to facilitate the rescue. He described how two other motorists who also stopped to assist coordinated their efforts to safely free the injured driver.

“We pulled him up on the side of the dump truck,” Campbell said, recounting the moments they worked together to save the man.

Fortunately, emergency services arrived shortly after and took control of the scene. The fire department addressed the safety hazards while ensuring the driver received the necessary care.

A Marine’s Sense of Duty

Campbell, a former Marine with 20 years of truck driving experience, demonstrated the courage and commitment to helping others that have defined his career. Reflecting on the experience, he humbly shared his motivation for stopping to help.

“If I can help people, I’ll jump out and try to help them,” he said. “I would hope if I was in that situation, they would stop to help me.”

Celebrating Everyday Heroes

The TCA’s Highway Angel program honors truck drivers like Mark Campbell, who go above and beyond to make a difference on the road. His actions are a powerful reminder of the compassion and bravery that many professional drivers bring to their critical role in society.

Source: Truckers News
Image Source: ABF

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