Nashville, Tenn. — The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) named three drivers the 2024 Highway Angels of the Year during its September convention, marking the first triple award in the program’s 27‑year history.

The Highway Angels program, launched in 1997, rewards drivers who intervene in emergencies and protect fellow motorists. By spotlighting life‑saving actions, the initiative reinforces a safety‑first mindset that resonates with owner‑operators, OTR truck driver crews and fleet managers alike. Sponsors EpicVue and Northland Insurance backed this year’s ceremony, underscoring industry commitment to recognizing on‑the‑road heroism.

Veteran Knight Transportation driver Tony Blunnie pulled a trapped driver from a wreck just seconds before the cab ignited, preventing a fatal burn. Erb Transport’s Dawna Jacobsen raced to a snow‑covered highway in Northern Ontario, using her rig to shield a young boy who had been struck while riding a snowmobile, keeping the child from further injury. Maverick Transportation LLC’s Terry Reavis, a former first responder, extracted three children from a collision involving a rogue pickup and an SUV and administered critical aid to an injured woman until EMS arrived. Each honoree received a standing ovation and a complimentary EpicVue satellite TV package that includes a 24‑inch flat‑screen, DVR and a year‑long subscription to over 100 channels, premium networks and NFL Sunday Ticket.

What This Means for Drivers

For CDL‑A drivers and owner‑operators, the awards reinforce that quick, decisive action can save lives and earn industry respect. Fleet managers may cite these stories in safety trainings, encouraging crews to carry basic emergency tools and first‑aid kits. The recognition also signals that carriers value drivers who go beyond the haul, potentially influencing insurance premiums and driver retention in a market where trucking companies hiring aggressively.

Industry Reaction

Carrier executives and safety advocates praised the trio’s bravery, noting that such real‑world examples bolster compliance with FMCSA regulations on emergency response. Trade groups argued that publicizing heroic deeds helps attract new talent to truck driver jobs, especially as the labor shortage pushes companies to highlight the profession’s community impact. The ceremony’s applause echoed a broader industry push to celebrate the human element behind OTR freight movement.

Key Points

• Three drivers—Tony Blunnie (Knight Transportation), Dawna Jacobsen (Erb Transport) and Terry Reavis (Maverick Transportation LLC)—were honored as 2024 Highway Angels of the Year.
• The awards were presented at TCA’s annual convention in Nashville, Tenn., the first time three honorees were named in a single year.
• Each rescue involved immediate, life‑saving actions: fire prevention, child protection on a snow‑mobile crash site, and multi‑victim extraction after a pickup‑SUV collision.
• Winners receive an EpicVue satellite TV package featuring a 24‑inch screen, DVR and a one‑year subscription to over 100 channels, including HBO, Cinemax, Showtime and NFL Sunday Ticket.

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