The Truckload Carriers Association has officially named Lewis its newest Highway Angel, recognizing the calm, quick, and compassionate way he handled a crash he came across in western Iowa.

According to TCA, Lewis was rolling westbound near Harlan around 6 a.m. on November 9 when he saw a car heading the opposite direction suddenly lose control and wreck.

“I thought, ‘Okay, let’s make sure everything is okay,” he said. After pulling over, Lewis made his way down toward the vehicle, which had landed roughly 100 feet off the highway in an irrigation ditch.

When he reached the scene, he found a young woman named Cora climbing the embankment. She was not hurt, but she was shaken and freezing. After calling 911 and her parents, she took shelter inside Lewis’s truck to warm up until troopers arrived. She told him she had fallen asleep at the wheel.

Her parents later reached out to Lewis’s employer with a message that every driver can appreciate.

“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,” Emily Truitt and Toby Knoop.

Lewis says helping was never a question. “I have always felt like if something happens, I need to stop and make sure everything is okay.”

He joins nearly 1,500 other professional drivers recognized since the TCA Highway Angel program began in 1997. Supported by EpicVue, DriverFacts, and Northland Insurance, the program continues spotlighting the drivers who show real heart out on the highway.

For truckers like Lewis, it is just another day doing the right thing, but the impact lasts far longer.

Source: Truckers News

The post TCA Honors Sharp Transportation Driver as Newest Highway Angel appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

“Truck drivers are the unsung heroes of our roads and communities,” said Joe Stuglis, vice president, Commercial Sales North America, Goodyear. “For more than four decades, the Highway Hero Award has celebrated those who step up in critical moments to protect others. We’re proud to continue this tradition and shine a spotlight on their inspiring stories.”

The Highway Hero Award has been recognizing drivers since 1983, honoring men and women who go far beyond the everyday job of hauling freight. Every year, the program looks for drivers who jumped into action during emergencies, protected others on the road, or showed exceptional bravery while on duty.

Nominations are now open through January 31, 2026. To qualify, nominees must hold a valid CDL and operate a commercial vehicle such as a long-haul truck, vocational truck, infrastructure truck, or a non-lifesaving emergency vehicle with rim sizes over 19 inches. The heroic act must have taken place between January 1 and December 31, 2025, while the driver was actively working in the United States or Canada.

Submitting a nomination is simple. Drivers, coworkers, fleet managers, or anyone who witnessed the event can share a detailed account of what happened. Goodyear will review all entries, create an approved list of nominees, and then hand it over to a judging panel. One Highway Hero will be selected along with up to two finalists.

The winner will be announced in early 2026. Along with cash prizes, the top honoree will also receive a ride on the Goodyear Blimp. Finalists will also earn cash awards, recognizing their bravery and contributions to road safety.

If you know a driver who stepped up when the road needed them most, now is the time to put their name in the running.

Source: The Trucker

The post Goodyear Kicks Off Search For 2025 Highway Hero Award 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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