Kuna, Idaho — Scott Volkers, an ABF Freight driver hailing from Kuna, Idaho, received official Highway Angel recognition from the Truckload Carriers Association for securing a deadly collision scene on Interstate 90 in Washington. Operating out of the carrier's Fort Smith, Arkansas terminal, Volkers encountered the severe two-car wreck around 4:15 in the morning on June 6, 2022, while navigating the treacherous Snoqualmie Pass.
Vehicles sat sideways across the highway immediately past a blind curve, creating an extreme hazard in the dark. Drawing on more than 25 years of professional behind-the-wheel experience, Volkers parked his tractor-trailer and deployed a flashlight to manage oncoming traffic. He worked the dangerous post for nearly an hour, dodging approaching vehicles twice while bystanders tended to injured occupants and discovered a fatality inside one of the crushed automobiles.
The Truckload Carriers Association awards the Highway Angel designation to professional drivers who perform heroic acts on the nation's highways while performing their regular job duties. ABF Freight operates as a major LTL carrier in the United States, employing thousands of CDL-A drivers who traverse challenging mountain passes and high-congestion routes daily under strict FMCSA regulations.
What This Means for Drivers
Professional truck drivers frequently find themselves as the first responders on remote stretches of interstate highway during early morning hours. Managing traffic around blind corners requires immediate hazard awareness, proper use of reflective gear and flashlights, and a clear understanding of roadside safety protocols. Owner-operators and fleet drivers must balance the desire to assist at accident scenes with personal safety, particularly when visibility is low and approaching motorists fail to slow down in time.
Industry Reaction
National trucking organizations continue to highlight the vital public safety role played by commercial drivers every day on the highway. While the public often focuses solely on freight delivery timelines and supply chain metrics, professional OTR truck driver actions regularly prevent secondary collisions and save lives during major highway incidents.
Key Points
- ABF Freight driver Scott Volkers was named a Highway Angel by the Truckload Carriers Association.
- The incident occurred on June 6, 2022, at approximately 4:15 AM on I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass in Washington.
- Volkers used his flashlight to direct traffic around a blind corner for nearly an hour during a fatal two-car crash.
- Volkers has maintained a clean commercial driving career spanning over 25 years.
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