When an ordinary workday turned into a moment of crisis, professional truck driver Tim Akins didn’t hesitate to put his own safety aside to help strangers in need. That split-second decision earned him national recognition from the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), which has officially named him a Highway Angel.
Akins, who lives in Asheboro, North Carolina, drives for ABF Freight, headquartered in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
A Sudden Crash on a North Carolina Highway
On May 22, Akins was driving along Old 421 Road in Greensboro, North Carolina, when he witnessed a pickup truck towing a trailer begin to fishtail dangerously in front of him.
“His trailer started fishtailing back and forth,” Akins recalled. “It was so abrupt; jerking him everywhere.”
Moments later, the trailer partially detached from the Dodge pickup, causing the vehicle to jackknife and flip off the road. The truck landed on its side, trapping the two passengers inside.
Swift Action and a Calm Response
Without hesitation, Akins brought his rig to a stop and rushed to the overturned vehicle. He saw the passengers were alert but unable to exit the cab.
“I was able to bang on the windshield,” he said. “The driver said, ‘We’re okay, we just can’t get out.’”
Climbing onto the side of the wreck, Akins pulled out his pocket knife, cut through the deflated airbags, and maneuvered himself into the cab. Hanging upside down inside the truck, he carefully freed one of the passengers from a jammed seatbelt. With both men now able to move, he helped them climb out to safety.
Thanks to Akins’ quick thinking and calm under pressure, both individuals escaped the crash with only minor injuries.
“It’s just human instinct,” Akins said. “If there’s anything I can do to help, I’m gonna do it.”
Honoring Everyday Heroes on the Road
TCA’s Highway Angel program honors drivers who go beyond the call of duty to help others while out on the road. In recognizing Akins, TCA highlights not just his bravery, but the spirit of community and compassion that defines the best in trucking.
Source: The Trucker
