A truck driver from Georgia has been named a ‘Highway Angel’ after he pulled a father and son from their smashed vehicle following a bad accident in Pennsylvania.
On June 9, JLE Industries driver Devey South was driving on Interstate Highway 78 outside of Saucon, PA when he saw a car begin to fishtail, thewestgeorgian.com reported.
“The car started to fishtail, swerved and then side-swiped the SUV,” South said. “It caused the SUV to spin and then flip 4 times across the highway.”
The SUV landed on its driver’s side and hit a concrete barrier. South reportedly pulled over and ran across three lanes of traffic to reach the wreck.
“The back window was busted out,” South said. “I stuck my head in, but there was smoke, or dust and I couldn’t see anything.”
Eventually, he saw a pre-teen boy lift his head up. South said the boy had cuts and blood on his arms. The driver, the boy’s father, was conscious and still in his seat belt.
“He was crying and in pain but didn’t speak English,” South said.
South reportedly climbed to the top of the SUV and pried a door open. He first pulled the boy out, then used a Swiss Army Knife to cut the driver’s seat belt and pull him from the vehicle with the help of another motorist.
He waited with them until first responders arrived. South told reporters that he is out on the road one or two months at a time and this wasn’t the first accident he’s seen while on a run.
“I have seen where people on motorcycles get killed in accidents,” he said. “Just about every day, you are getting in a backup somewhere. It is either construction or an accident. A lot of times with accidents, you don’t ever see them. If I was right up on [an accident] where I could help somebody, I would.”
The Truckload Carriers Association recognizes truckers who perform good deeds through its Highway Angel program. In the last 24 years, around 1,3000 truck drivers have been named Highway Angels. South’s carrier nominated him for the award.
“I was not expecting it,” South said. “I was doing what comes naturally. I was not looking for praise … It is human nature to help someone in need.”
