Fort Smith, Arkansas — Thomas Itczak, a professional CDL-A driver hauling for ABF Freight out of Fort Smith, has received the official Highway Angel designation from the Truckload Carriers Association after pulling a mother and her infant from a severe wreck. Operating out of Aurora, Colorado, Itczak was behind the wheel on a Grainfield, Kansas highway when a passenger vehicle suddenly veered out of control, crossed the median, went airborne, and crashed into the grass.
The incident occurred on February 7, 2023, around 1:20 p.m. Itczak watched the car leave the roadway, cross opposing traffic lanes, and clear the shoulder entirely. Realizing the severity of the crash, the ABF Freight professional immediately secured his rig on the roadside and ran toward the severely damaged vehicle to check for injuries and contact emergency services.
Upon reaching the mangled car, Itczak found a cracked front bumper and bent wheels surrounding a terrified young mother and her crying infant. The driver had momentarily looked away to comfort her weeping baby, causing her to lose control of the steering wheel. Acting quickly, Itczak extracted the distressed infant first, safely helped the shaken mother out of the wreckage, and stayed to comfort both until local first responders arrived.
What This Means for Drivers
Professional truck driver jobs demand constant situational awareness, not just for hazards posed by commercial trucks, but for erratic passenger vehicles sharing the interstate. Incidents like this highlight the unpredictable nature of OTR driving and the critical split-second decisions professional drivers face daily. Major trucking companies hiring OTR truck drivers value operators who maintain composure and prioritize highway safety under extreme pressure.
Industry Reaction
Organizations like the Truckload Carriers Association continue to highlight acts of heroism through the Highway Angel program, demonstrating that the professional trucking workforce acts as the eyes and ears of the nation's highway system. Thousands of truck drivers across the United States routinely interrupt their schedules to render aid at accident scenes, proving their value far beyond freight delivery.
Key Points
- ABF Freight driver Thomas Itczak was named a Highway Angel by the Truckload Carriers Association.
- The incident took place on February 7, 2023, on a highway in Grainfield, Kansas.
- Itczak witnessed a car cross the median, go airborne, and crash past the shoulder.
- The driver lost control while turning around to comfort a crying infant in the backseat.
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