West Jefferson, Ohio — A Melton Truck Lines driver was awarded the TCA Highway Angel title after rescuing a passenger from a box truck wreck on I‑70 at 2:30 a.m. on July 30.

The collision involved a semi‑truck and a heavily crushed box truck. Brian Koppenhaver, a Melton driver, pulled his vehicle onto the shoulder and hurried into the wreckage to locate the trapped occupants. He found passenger Mario trapped beneath the collapsed frame, unresponsive and not breathing.

Koppenhaver performed a sternum rub and checked for a response while carefully keeping Mario’s neck still to avoid potential spinal injury. He called 911 and described the victim’s condition, noting serious injuries to Mario’s left arm and both legs pinned beneath the wreck. The driver waited for emergency crews, requesting a cervical collar before firefighters began the rescue. Using jaws of life, firefighters cut through the box truck and extracted Mario, who was later taken for emergency treatment. Mario remained in intensive care and lost both legs as a result of the crash.

Koppenhaver’s heroics earned him recognition from the Trucking Association of America’s Highway Angel program. The program has honored nearly 1,500 drivers since its inception in 1997. Koppenhaver, a U.S. military veteran and retired U.S. Postal Service employee, stopped immediately after the crash, provided critical care during the first minutes, and stayed with the victim until first responders took over.

What This Means for Drivers

The incident highlights the importance of emergency response training for CDL‑A drivers and owner‑operators. It reminds fleet managers that drivers should carry basic first‑aid kits and be trained in CPR and spinal‑immobilization techniques. FMCSA regulations require incident reporting, yet many carriers lack structured emergency protocols. OTR truck drivers who encounter accidents early in the morning face high risk; proper training can save lives and reduce liability. Truck driver jobs listings now often include first‑aid certification as a requirement, underscoring the growing emphasis on safety skills in the profession.

Industry Reaction

Carriers across the industry have applauded Koppenhaver’s actions. The Trucking Association of America issued a statement praising his professionalism and calling the event a testament to the trucking workforce’s dedication. Advocacy groups urge carriers to invest in driver safety programs and conduct regular drills. Many trucking companies hiring now emphasize safety culture in their recruitment materials, reflecting a broader industry shift toward proactive emergency preparedness.

Key Points

• Brian Koppenhaver, a Melton Truck Lines driver, received the TCA Highway Angel award for rescuing a passenger from a box truck wreck on I‑70.

• Photo by Guillaume Boulanger on Pexels