Highway Angels

Driver uses truck to shield crash victim

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) recently recognized truck driver Paul Leicht of Mt. Home, AR as a Highway Angel for using his truck to block off an accident from other motorists who couldn’t see it, due to very heavy rain.
     In a grateful letter written to Christenson Transportation, Leicht’s employer, motorist Merle Pierson described how he had a serious accident while traveling on the southbound lane of Interstate 81, just north of Roanoke, VA. It was raining hard when Pierson’s car hydroplaned, ran into a guardrail and then hit another car before stopping in the path of heavy oncoming traffic.
     While Pierson was still inside his disabled vehicle, he realized that with his car’s lights out and the poor visibility, other motorists might not be able to see the wreck and could potentially crash into him again. But just then he spotted Leicht’s truck, which had stopped about 100 feet before Pierson’s car.
     “His truck prevented other cars from broad-siding my vehicle,” says Pierson. “I am certain that his action prevented a further collision and possibly serious injury to me and others.”
     Leicht has helped others before, most notably volunteering his time to help victims after Hurricane Katrina. He boasts approximately one million accident-free miles. A driver for Christenson Transportation of Strafford, MO, he received a Highway Angel lapel pin, certificate and patch for his efforts. Christenson Transportation also received a certificate acknowledging that one of its drivers is a Highway Angel.
     Since its inception in Aug. 1997, the Highway Angels program has recognized hundreds of drivers for the unusual kindness, courtesy and courage they have shown others while on the job. TCA has received letters and e-mails from people across North America nominating truck drivers for the program.