LOUISVILLE, Ky. — TravelCenters of America named Jay Hosty one of the 2025 Citizen Drivers during the 53rd Mid-America Trucking Show held at the Kentucky Expo Center. Hosty, a long-time voice for independent carriers, joins Craig Daniels and Darryl Tolle in receiving this prestigious industry honor for exceptional service to the trucking profession.

The Citizen Driver award highlights individuals who have dedicated their careers to elevating the standard of care and advocacy within the commercial vehicle sector. Hosty’s selection reflects decades of activism through the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), where he served not only as a driver but also as a board member fighting for better terms and recognition for his peers. The award ceremony took place at one of the largest gatherings for the industry, underscoring the importance of recognizing drivers who go beyond daily route completion to shape the future of the road.

Hosty is no stranger to the rig; he began his professional driving career in Louisiana in 1980. By 1989, he had joined OOIDA, aligning himself with an organization dedicated to protecting the economic and legal rights of independent operators. His home base is Diamondhead, Mississippi, where he continues to influence the discourse around fleet management and driver welfare. The other two honorees represent distinct pillars of industry excellence: Craig Daniels, a U.S. Army veteran based in Columbus, Georgia, drives for Crete Carrier’s “Patriot Fleet,” a division specifically designed to honor military service. Darryl Tolle, a resident of Cynthiana, Kentucky, holds a record of 3.6 million accident-free miles, a safety benchmark that earned him the 2024 Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance International Driver Excellence Award.

What This Means for Drivers

Recognition of this caliber reinforces the value of long-term commitment in a market that often prioritizes immediate output over career longevity. For CDL-A drivers and owner-operators, seeing peers like Hosty and Tolle honored validates the importance of both advocacy and rigorous safety practices. Trucking companies hiring for key roles are increasingly looking for candidates who demonstrate a history of professional engagement, not just clean driving records. This award signals that the industry values the human element of logistics, encouraging drivers to seek communities like OOIDA that support their professional growth and legal standing.

Industry Reaction

The trucking community has long recognized the gap in public perception versus the reality of professional driving. By spotlighting drivers like Daniels, who serves in a veteran-focused fleet, and Tolle, who embodies peak safety standards, the industry highlights the diversity of excellence in the sector. Hosty’s inclusion brings attention to the critical role of independent drivers in shaping policy and standards. These recognitions serve as a reminder that the backbone of the supply chain consists of individuals with deep roots in the profession, whether they are navigating OTR routes or managing independent fleets.

Key Points

• Jay Hosty, a former OOIDA board member from Diamondhead, Mississippi, was named a 2025 Citizen Driver.
• The award was presented at the 53rd Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky.
• Craig Daniels drives for Crete Carrier’s Patriot Fleet in Columbus, Georgia, honoring his military service.
• Darryl Tolle from Cynthiana, Kentucky, has logged 3.6 million accident-free miles in his career.

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Photo by Freek Wolsink on Pexels