Nashville, Tennessee — At the Truckload Carriers Association’s annual conference, three professional drivers were singled out as 2023 Highway Angels of the Year for intervening in deadly crashes and preventing further loss of life.
The trucking industry relies on drivers to move freight, but the same crew members also serve as first responders when accidents strike. Recognizing heroic conduct reinforces a culture of vigilance and underscores the importance of emergency equipment in every cab.
Tony Blunnie of Knight Transportation spotted a multi‑vehicle fire on Interstate 20 near Jackson, Miss., on Feb. 15, 2023 while mentoring a new driver. He grabbed his in‑cab fire extinguisher, tackled the blaze and pulled a female van driver from the inferno seconds before the vehicle was consumed. Dawna Jacobsen, hauling for Erb Transport, encountered a snowmobile crash on Highway 11 in Northern Ontario in December 2022. She angled her truck to block traffic, shielded the injured boy and held the scene until paramedics arrived. Terry Reavis of Maverick Transportation LLC responded to a catastrophic pickup‑SUV collision on I‑95 in Brunswick, Ga., on Feb. 19, 2023. Drawing on 27 years of experience and first‑responder training, he extracted three children from the wreckage and tended to an injured woman until emergency crews took over.
What This Means for Drivers
Owners of fleets are likely to double‑check that every tractor‑trailer carries a certified fire extinguisher and that drivers receive basic first‑aid refreshers. CDL‑A drivers and OTR truck driver crews can expect more emphasis on situational awareness during route planning, especially on high‑traffic corridors like I‑95 and I‑20. Carrier safety managers may add hero‑recognition programs to boost morale and reduce turnover among owner‑operators seeking employers that value real‑world safety contributions.
Industry Reaction
The Truckload Carriers Association praised the trio, noting that their actions illustrate the “unwritten duty” truckers have to protect fellow road users. Several carrier groups have echoed the sentiment, urging regulators such as the FMCSA to incorporate driver‑initiated emergency response metrics into safety audits. Advocates argue that publicizing these stories helps counter negative stereotypes and highlights the essential role of trucking companies hiring skilled, alert drivers.
Key Points
- Tony Blunnie rescued a trapped driver from a burning van on I‑20, Jackson, Miss., Feb. 15, 2023.
- Dawna Jacobsen shielded a snowmobile victim on Highway 11, Northern Ontario, Dec. 2022, preventing further injury.
- Terry Reavis saved three children and assisted an injured woman after a fatal crash on I‑95, Brunswick, Ga., Feb. 19, 2023.
- The TCA Highway Angel award highlights the safety impact of driver‑initiated emergency actions for all truck driver jobs.
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