Truckload Carriers Association recognizes Highway Angel

Gazarian has been driving for more than 18 years and is close to having 1 million accident-free miles.

The Trucker News Services

9/29/2008

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) recently recognized company equipment driver Jonathan Gazarian of French Lick, Ind., as a Highway Angel for his bravery in assisting a man injured in a car accident.

Gazarian was driving to work around 3:45 a.m. when he noticed the lights of an SUV down over an embankment close to the tree line. "Something is wrong with this picture," he thought, and went to investigate. Seeing that the vehicle was flipped upside down over a ditch, he proceeded to call 911. Soon after, he heard a faint cry and went to search for the driver.

The victim, Billy Stephens, Jr., had been returning from a local casino when suddenly his car hydroplaned and flipped over. Bleeding, he had pried the vehicle's door open, but fell into the ditch filled with icy cold water and was unable to move further. Gazarian kept him coherent and calm until paramedics arrived and transported him to the local emergency room. Stephens was treated for broken vertebrae in his neck, a deep cut requiring stitches, and a bruised spleen.

"No one can ever tell me there is no such thing as angels anymore because I know one," said Stephens. "His name is Jonathan Gazarian."

Gazarian has been driving for more than 18 years and is close to having 1 million accident-free miles. A driver for Jet Transit Inc., of Leavenworth, Ind., he received a Highway Angel lapel pin, certificate, and patch for his efforts. Jet Transit also received a certificate acknowledging that one of their 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.

To view archival copies of past Highway Angel press releases, visit www.truckload.org/pressroom. To learn more about the program or to nominate a driver, go to www.truckload.org/highwayangels. For additional information, contact TCA at (703) 838-1950 or e-mail angel@truckload.org.