Roy Chandler of Rockport, Texas, has been awarded the Truckload Carriers Association’s (TCA) prestigious Highway Angel award. Chandler, a driver for Diamond Transportation System, Inc., based in Racine, Wisconsin,
earned this recognition for his courageous act in helping a woman who had rear-ended a semi-truck.
Chandler, a seasoned truck driver with 37 years of experience and a second-generation trucker, demonstrated exceptional bravery on April 20, 2024. The incident took place in the late afternoon amidst heavy rain on Interstate 30 in Morris County, Texas. Despite the poor visibility caused by the downpour, Chandler noticed a young woman speeding past him in the left lane. Shortly after, she attempted to merge back into the right lane, but the rain-splattered windshields obstructed her view, leading her to crash into the back of a semi-truck and flip multiple times into the median.
“She hit the back tire, and the momentum of her tire going forward, and his tire just launched her into midair,” Chandler recounted. “She went up about 20 feet into mid-air.”
Without hesitation, Chandler pulled over and rushed to assist. He found the woman, though responsive and only slightly injured, trapped in her vehicle. He also checked on the semi-truck driver, who was experiencing dizziness. Chandler called 911 to report the accident and stayed with both individuals until emergency services arrived. He provided crucial support at the scene, including handing over his dashcam footage of the accident to a state trooper.
Reflecting on his actions, Chandler said, “It’s always what we’re supposed to do. As a Christian and as a truck driver, I’m supposed to help wherever I can. To me, it was just another day at work.”
Since the inception of the Highway Angel program in 1997, supported by generous sponsors, nearly 1,500 professional truck drivers have been honored for their outstanding acts of kindness, courtesy, and courage.
For more information about the TCA Highway Angels, visit Highway Angel Program.
Source: The Trucker
