Lincoln, Nebraska — ABF Freight driver Mike Lempka earned official Highway Angel recognition from the Truckload Carriers Association after pulling an unresponsive motorist from a crashed vehicle and assisting a police officer with CPR. Lempka, based out of Fort Smith, Arkansas, stepped in when a driver suffering a medical emergency plowed through a fence and struck a flagpole.
The incident unfolded on the morning of January 25 in Lincoln as Lempka and a colleague walked toward their rigs to begin their shift. A sudden impact drew their attention to the wreckage, prompting both men to sprint across the lot. Lempka found the motorist trapped inside and experiencing severe shaking from a medical episode.
A responding police officer arrived seconds later, having tailed the vehicle moments before the crash. With the driver unresponsive, Lempka worked alongside the officer to extract the man from the cabin. Drawing on his background as a CPR-certified volunteer with the Adams Rescue Squad back home, Lempka stood ready to assist while the officer initiated chest compressions.
What This Means for Drivers
Professional truck drivers often find themselves as the first line of defense on America's highways, frequently coming across severe accidents before emergency responders arrive. For CDL-A drivers and owner-operators running long routes, maintaining situational awareness pays off when split-second reactions make the difference between life and death. Many carriers encourage drivers to maintain basic first aid and CPR certifications to handle roadside emergencies safely.
Industry Reaction
The Truckload Carriers Association awards the Highway Angel designation to professional operators who demonstrate extraordinary selflessness, courage, and kindness while on duty. Programs like this highlight the vital role that commercial drivers play within the communities they serve every single day. Trucking companies hiring quality drivers often point to these acts of character as proof of the high caliber of professionals populating the nation's highways.
Key Points
- Mike Lempka drives for ABF Freight out of Fort Smith, Arkansas.
- The incident occurred on the morning of January 25 in Lincoln, Nebraska.
- Lempka used his volunteer rescue squad training and CPR certification to help save the victim.
- The Truckload Carriers Association presented Lempka with the official Highway Angel designation.
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