Latest

US Trucker

News & Resources for American Truck Drivers

Hi Pro Inc. Driver Honored as TCA Highway Angel After Wichita Rescue

A commercial driver's fast response to a midnight hit-and-run in Kansas earns national recognition and highlights the vital safety role professional truckers play on American highways.

Trucking photo

Wichita, Kansas — Christopher Bishop, a professional commercial motor vehicle driver operating for Hi Pro Inc., earned official designation as a TCA Highway Angel from the Truckload Carriers Association after protecting an injured motorcyclist from oncoming traffic following a brutal hit-and-run collision.

The dangerous incident unfolded in the dark hours of December 13 at approximately 2:15 a.m. CST as Bishop departed his local terminal en route to a scheduled pickup at the Wichita USPS Processing and Distribution Center. Navigating the dark city streets, the Hi Pro Inc. operator encountered a wrecked motorcycle abandoned in a roadside ditch and the severely injured driver lying directly in the active travel lane. Reviewing subsequent security footage alongside his own observations, Bishop confirmed the motorist had been struck by a passenger sedan that callously fled the scene without stopping or rendering aid.

Demonstrating textbook situational awareness, Bishop immediately engaged his heavy-duty tractor-trailer's four-way hazard flashers and angled his rig across the lane to establish a physical shield against approaching traffic. Upon approaching the victim, Bishop discovered the man was barely clinging to life, prompting an instant 911 call and continuous first-aid monitoring while he kept the victim conscious until local police and emergency medical technicians arrived approximately seven minutes later.

What This Means for Drivers

Commercial vehicle operators face high-stress roadside situations every single day, and emergency response capabilities remain a critical aspect of life on the road for any qualified CDL-A driver. Professional drivers operating heavy equipment possess distinct advantages in visibility and safety blocking that routinely save lives during highway emergencies. Fleet managers and independent owner-operators alike recognize that swift hazard mitigation protects vulnerable motorists when accidents occur in low-visibility or late-night operating windows.

Industry Reaction

The Truckload Carriers Association continues to spotlight acts of extraordinary courage through the Highway Angel program, reminding the motoring public that professional truckers are often the first line of defense during roadside disasters. While mainstream media frequently overlooks the daily contributions of commercial drivers, industry advocates emphasize that OTR truck drivers regularly put their own safety on the line to assist stranded or injured travelers across the country.

Key Points

  • Christopher Bishop of Hi Pro Inc. received the TCA Highway Angel Award for his life-saving actions in Wichita, Kansas.
  • The late-night incident occurred at roughly 2:15 a.m. on December 13 near the USPS Processing and Distribution Center.
  • Bishop utilized his commercial truck to block traffic lanes and protect a severely injured motorcyclist left behind by a hit-and-run driver.
  • Emergency medical services and local police arrived at the crash scene within seven minutes of Bishop's emergency call.

Looking for a better trucking job? US Trucker's free job-matching service connects CDL-A drivers, OTR drivers, regional drivers, and owner-operators with 500+ top US carriers. Leave your details in the form on this page and a recruiter will call you within one business day. Trucking companies are hiring now.

Photo by Auto Click India on Pexels

✍️
Dana Merritt
Freight market analyst and former dispatcher with 12 years at a regional flatbed carrier. Dana specializes in spot rates, load boards, and the economics of owner-operator life.