The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has recognized professional truck drivers Daniel Garcia of Warren Transport Inc., Anthony Dunne of Maverick Transportation, Scott Derrick of ABF Freight and Christopher Bishop of Hi Pro Inc. as TCA Highway Angels because of their acts of heroism while on the road.
In recognition of these drivers’ willingness to help fellow drivers and motorists, TCA has presented each Highway Angel with a certificate, a lapel pin, patches and truck decals. Their employers have also received a certificate highlighting their driver as a recipient.
Since TCA’s Highway Angels program began in 1997, nearly 1,400 professional truck drivers have been recognized as Highway Angels because of the exemplary kindness, courtesy and courage they have displayed while on the job. TCA extends special thanks to the program’s presenting sponsor, EpicVue, and supporting sponsors DriverFacts and Northland Insurance.
To nominate a driver or read more about these and other Highway Angel award recipients, visit highwayangel.org.
The following TCA Highway Angels were featured in the May/June 2026 print edition of Truckload Authority, the official publication of the Truckload Carriers Association.
ANTHONY DUNNE
Maverick Transportation
Because of his quick thinking and selfless actions at the scene of a late-night crash in rural Louisiana, professional driver Anthony Dunne of Maverick Transportation has been named a TCA Highway Angel.
At about 2 a.m. on December 9, 2025, Dunne was traveling north on Highway 65 near Transylvania, Louisiana, when he encountered a large tree branch obstructing the roadway. After safely maneuvering around the debris, he noticed a severely damaged truck that had veered off the road. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, Dunne immediately pulled over to investigate.
“Honestly, I didn’t think that anybody was gonna be okay from that one,” said Dunne. “I really thought that was going to be a DOA scene.”
Upon approaching the vehicle, he found the driver trapped inside but conscious and alert. Dunne quickly called 911 and remained on scene, providing reassurance and support to the injured driver while waiting for emergency responders.
“He was hurt pretty bad,” Dunne said. “He told me he fell asleep and drifted off the road. The whole side of his cab was opened up like a can of sardines.”
Because of the remote location, it was about 45 minutes before first responders arrived. Dunne stayed with the driver the entire time, making sure he was not alone during a frightening and uncertain situation.
When emergency personnel arrived, they were able to safely extract the driver, who fortunately sustained only minor injuries. Dunne’s actions exemplify the professionalism, compassion and commitment to safety demonstrated by professional truck drivers every day.
“I couldn’t just drive by if there was something I could do,” he said.
DANIEL GARCIA
Warren Transport Inc.
TCA recognizes Daniel Garcia, a professional driver for Warren Transport Inc. for his quick thinking and selfless actions that helped prevent a potentially dangerous vehicle fire in Dallas.
On August 10, 2025, at approximately 6 a.m., Garcia was traveling through Dallas when he noticed flames coming from underneath a vehicle traveling ahead of him. As the motorist pulled to the side of the road, Garcia immediately stopped his truck ahead of the vehicle and sprang into action.
“She was not aware that there was fire on the chassis,” he said. “I asked her, ‘Do you know your car is on fire?’ and she said, ‘No … oh my god!’”
Garcia retrieved a fire extinguisher from his truck and worked quickly to extinguish the flames that were spilling from the engine compartment. His swift response prevented the fire from spreading to the vehicle’s oil pan — a development that could have resulted in serious damage, injury or worse.
“I told her that she had an oil leak and she was lucky the fire didn’t catch up to the oil,” he said. “We caught it in time. We were just lucky.”
SCOTT DERRICK
ABF Freight
Scott Derrick, a professional driver for ABF Freight, earned his TCA Highway Angel Wings because of his heroic actions following a fiery crash on Interstate 15 in California.
On November 8, 2025, at about 2:30 a.m., Derrick was traveling northbound on I-15 near Oak Hills, California, when he came upon a serious accident involving a Honda passenger vehicle and a UPS truck. The Honda had collided with the UPS truck and was engulfed in flames.
“I feel like God told me, ‘It’s time for you to go to work,’” Derrick said.
Without hesitation, he pulled his tractor to a stop and grabbed the onboard fire extinguisher and headed toward the crash. The driver of the UPS truck was pulling people out of the back of the burning car, but there was one man still stuck inside.
“The flames were hitting him in the face,” Derrick said of the trapped man. “I got out with the fire extinguisher and thought, ‘I’m old, I’ve lived my life’.”
He quickly worked to suppress the flames, temporarily knocking down the fire and creating a critical window of time. That swift action allowed him to reach the vehicle and pull the injured man to safety.
“Everybody just gave up,” Derrick said. “I thought, ‘I’m not letting this guy burn.’”
His courage and decisive response in a dangerous, fast-moving situation likely prevented further injury — or worse.
“I hugged him and I said, “Dude, you’re hurt, but you’re alive!” Derrick said. “I just thought, ‘He’s not gonna die while I’m here tonight.’”
CHRISTOPHER BISHOP
Hi Pro Inc.
TCA honors Christopher Bishop, a professional driver for Hi Pro Inc. for his quick thinking and decisive actions that helped save the life of an injured motorcyclist in Wichita, Kansas.
The incident occurred at about 2:15 a.m. on December 13, 2025, shortly after Bishop left his terminal on the way to the Wichita USPS Processing & Distribution Center. While traveling through the city, Bishop came upon a troubling scene: There was a motorbike in a ditch, and its rider was lying injured in the middle of the roadway.
“He was just lying in the middle of the road,” Bishop said. “I stopped, and the first thing that ran through my mind was that he was dead.”
Based on camera footage and the scene itself, it appeared the motorcyclist had been struck by a sedan that fled the scene without stopping.
Without hesitation, Bishop activated his truck’s flashers and positioned his vehicle to block traffic, protecting the injured rider from oncoming vehicles. He immediately assessed the situation, thankful to realize the hit-and-run victim was still alive. Bishop called 911 and remained with the man, keeping him conscious and breathing, until emergency responders arrived just seven minutes later.
“I kept him talking as much as I could,” Bishop said. “Not long after that, an ambulance and police showed up.”
Bishop’s actions were especially critical given the cold December temperatures and the dangerous roadway conditions. His intervention likely prevented the rider from suffering further injuries, being struck by additional vehicles, or succumbing to exposure.
“Sometimes you have to actively be the change you want to see in the world,” he said.
Bishop was dumbfounded that the driver who hit the man on his bike didn’t stop at the scene of the accident.
“They didn’t stop. I couldn’t imagine doing that to someone and not stopping to check on him. That’s crazy,” he said.
Linda Garner-Bunch has been with The Trucker since 2020, picking up the reins as managing editor in 2022. Linda has nearly 40 years of experience in the publishing industry, covering topics from the trucking and automotive industry to employment, real estate, home decor, crafts, cooking, weddings, high school sports — you name it, she’s written about it. She is also an experienced photographer, designer and copy editor who has a heartfelt love for the trucking industry, from the driver’s seat to the C-suite.
