Quick thinking and the right equipment can make all the difference on the road. That reality was on full display when a professional truck driver stepped in to stop a vehicle fire before it turned into something far worse.
The Truckload Carriers Association has honored Daniel Garcia, a driver for Warren Transport, with a TCA Highway Angel Award after his actions helped prevent a dangerous car fire in Dallas.
What Garcia noticed on the road
Early in the morning on Aug. 10, 2025, at around 6 a.m., Garcia was driving through Dallas when something ahead of him did not look right. Flames were visible underneath a passenger vehicle traveling in front of his truck.
When the motorist pulled over, Garcia did not hesitate. He stopped his truck in front of the vehicle and moved quickly to alert the driver to the danger.
“She was not aware that there was fire on the chassis,” he said. “I told her ‘Do you know your car is on fire?’ and she said ‘No …oh my god!’.”
Using training and equipment to stop the fire
Garcia retrieved a fire extinguisher from his truck and went straight to work. Flames were coming from the engine compartment, and the situation could have escalated rapidly.
His fast response stopped the fire before it reached the oil pan, which could have led to serious damage or injury.
“I told her that she had an oil leak and she was lucky the fire didn’t catch up to the oil,” he said. “We caught it on time — we were just lucky.”
Why the response mattered
Vehicle fires can spread in seconds, especially when oil or fuel is involved. By pulling over, warning the motorist, and using his fire extinguisher immediately, Garcia prevented a situation that could have turned catastrophic.
His actions reflect the kind of awareness and preparedness that many professional drivers carry with them every day, often without recognition.
Part of a long-standing Highway Angel tradition
Since the Highway Angel program began in August 1997, nearly 1,500 professional truck drivers have been recognized for acts of kindness, courage, and professionalism on the road.
With support from the program’s presenting sponsor EpicVue and supporting sponsors DriverFacts and Northland Insurance, TCA continues to spotlight drivers who go beyond their job description to help others.
For truck drivers, stories like Garcia’s are a reminder that the skills and equipment carried in the cab are not just about compliance. At the right moment, they can save lives.
Source: Truckers News
