Oelwein, Iowa — The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has officially designated Randy Sweet and Mark Carey as Highway Angels for their decisive intervention in Bella, Iowa. The two drivers, both employed by Advanced Drainage Systems out of Hilliard, Ohio, discovered a man trapped under a heavy tractor at a job site. The victim had been pinned for four hours, suffering from shock and hypothermia before the drivers arrived. Their actions prevented a potential fatality and highlight the critical role professional drivers play in roadside emergencies.

The incident occurred while Sweet and Carey were on duty, demonstrating that safety responsibilities extend beyond the highway. When they found the man, his wife had just departed the scene to seek assistance. Instead of waiting for help to arrive, the drivers immediately called 911 and began providing aid. Carey, who possesses medical training, took charge of assessing the victim’s vitals and communicating critical medical data to dispatchers. This immediate response bridged the gap between the initial accident and the arrival of professional emergency medical services.

Sweet focused on keeping the conscious victim calm while managing the immediate physical environment. The man suffered extensive open wounds and a severely injured leg, which Sweet described as being "all tore up." Carey urged the victim to remain still, fearing that any movement could exacerbate the internal injuries. While Sweet maintained the man’s composure, Carey ran to the entrance of the site to flag down the approaching ambulance. The victim was transported to a local hospital where doctors diagnosed a broken hip, requiring a one-week hospitalization for recovery.

What This Means for Drivers

This recognition underscores the expectation that CDL-A drivers maintain situational awareness even during non-driving tasks at job sites. For owner-operators and fleet employees, this event serves as a reminder that emergency preparedness is a core component of professional driving standards. Carriers are increasingly integrating basic first-aid training into their onboarding processes, ensuring that every driver can manage initial trauma care. The TCA’s Highway Angel program specifically highlights these instances, reinforcing that safety culture is a shared responsibility across the industry, not just a regulatory requirement under FMCSA regulations.

Industry Reaction

The Truckload Carriers Association praised Sweet and Carey for acting with professionalism and compassion, citing their actions as the ideal model for industry conduct. The designation as Highway Angels is the highest honor the TCA bestows for selfless service, distinguishing these drivers from the general pool of truck driver jobs in the market. By publicizing such acts, the TCA aims to elevate the public perception of the profession, showing that OTR truck drivers and regional haulers alike are essential community resources. This type of recognition often influences hiring practices, as trucking companies hiring look for candidates who demonstrate strong ethical decision-making and peer support.

Key Points

• Randy Sweet and Mark Carey were named Highway Angels by the TCA for saving a man pinned under a tractor in Bella, Iowa.
• The victim was trapped for four hours and suffered a broken hip and extensive open wounds before receiving hospital care.
• Both drivers work for Advanced Drainage Systems, a company based in Hilliard, Ohio, and are based in Oelwein, Iowa.
• Mark Carey’s medical training allowed him to relay vital signs to 911 dispatchers, while Randy Sweet managed the victim’s shock and pain.

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