The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has recognized professional truck drivers Gabriel Popa, Patrick Fluegel, Brian Koppenhaver, David and Debra Beal, and Sammie Phillips 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.
Gabriel Popa, MC Carrier LLC
Around 4 a.m. on February 28, 2026, Gabriel Popa was driving southbound on U.S. 93 near Rogerson, Idaho, when an impaired motorist crossed into his lane, causing a head-on collision.
Popa attempted to avoid the oncoming vehicle, but the impact severely damaged his truck, scattering debris throughout the cab.
His mentor and co-driver, Nahum Camacho, had been asleep in the sleeper berth. The collision threw Camacho from the bunk, leaving him disoriented and unable to escape.
After exiting the truck, Popa noticed smoke and smelled burning oil. Fearing the truck might catch fire, he returned to rescue Camacho.
“I was like, ‘Hey, you gotta get out,’ because I didn’t know if the truck was gonna catch on fire,” Popa recalled.
When Camacho couldn’t escape on his own, Popa grabbed his hand and pulled him from the wreckage. With Camacho barefoot and shirtless in the frigid weather, Popa helped him reach a nearby vehicle for shelter while awaiting emergency responders.
Although still an apprentice driver, Popa had previously served in the U.S. Marine Corps, driving Class B trucks while stationed in Japan.
Asked why he risked his own safety to help his mentor, Popa’s answer was simple: “I was gonna do what I had to do whenever I was there trying to get my co-driver out,” he said.
Patrick Fluegel, Crosslin Trucking
On July 6, 2026, Patrick Fluegel was returning to a lumber yard after making a delivery when he saw a dump truck veer off Interstate 65 near Franklin, Tennessee, and overturn on an embankment.
“Something broke, or he blew a tire — and it just shot off onto the right into the embankment,” Fluegel recalled. “It basically landed on its side.”
Fluegel immediately pulled over and raced to the wrecked truck, where he found the driver conscious but trapped inside the overturned cab, suspended by his seat belt.
“He was hanging there by the seat belt, but he couldn’t get his seat belt off,” Fluegel said.
Unable to reach the driver from above, Fluegel kicked out a window and climbed inside. He lifted the injured driver to relieve pressure on the seat belt, released the buckle and helped him escape the wreckage.
Fluegel then helped the driver into another motorist’s vehicle, where he could sit while waiting for emergency responders. He remained at the scene until the Tennessee Highway Patrol arrived.
Fluegel later learned the driver had survived but suffered multiple fractures to his pelvis and hip.
“It was my first instinct,” Fluegel said. “Somebody was going to have to stop, and I stopped that day.”
Brian Koppenhaver, Melton Truck Lines
Around 2:30 a.m. on July 30, 2026, Brian Koppenhaver witnessed a violent collision between a semi-truck and a box truck on Interstate 70 near West Jefferson, Ohio.
“I watched the impact happen, so it’s not like I drove up on it,” Koppenhaver recalled. “I just put the turn signal on, got over on the right shoulder and ran back to offer assistance.”
At the scene, Koppenhaver found the occupants were severely injured. One, named Mario, was trapped inside the severely crushed box truck. Koppenhaver climbed through an opening in the wreckage and discovered the man was unresponsive and not breathing.
He immediately began assessing Mario’s condition, taking care to minimize movement of his neck because of possible spinal injuries.
“I did a sternum rub and stuff like that. Got him somewhat conscious,” Koppenhaver said.
He called 911, relayed the extent of Mario’s injuries and remained with him until emergency responders arrived. Koppenhaver also requested a cervical collar to help stabilize Mario’s neck during the rescue.
Firefighters eventually freed Mario using the jaws of life. He was transported to a hospital with severe injuries, including the loss of both legs.
A military veteran and retired U.S. Postal Service employee, Koppenhaver’s quick response provided critical assistance to a fellow motorist in need.
David and Debra Beal, Boyle Transportation
Around 3 a.m. on August 30, 2026, David and Debra Beal were traveling eastbound on Interstate 280 near Davenport, Iowa, when Debra spotted a truck crossing the median into their path.
“I saw him crossing the median and coming into our path, so I backed off,” she recalled. The truck subsequently overturned.
Debra safely stopped their truck and woke David, who was in the sleeper berth. While she called 911, he dressed and joined her at the crash scene.
The couple found two occupants trapped inside the overturned truck, which was leaking fuel.
“Normally you wouldn’t move somebody, but with the fuel leaking, we weren’t sure what was going to happen,” Debra said. “We’re like, ‘We’ve got to get you out of here.’”
David held the truck’s door open and extended his leg into the cab, allowing the female passenger to grab his foot and pull herself to safety. Another truck driver helped the male occupant escape.
The Beals remained at the scene until emergency responders took over.
Married for 37 years and professional drivers for more than five, the Beals didn’t hesitate to help.
“I would hope if we flipped over, somebody would do that for us,” Debra said.
Sammie Phillips, Melton Truck Lines
On the morning of August 14, 2026, Sammie Phillips was traveling near Lexington, Kentucky, when he witnessed an SUV carrying four young adults lose control and roll several times before coming to rest on its passenger side.
Phillips immediately activated his emergency lights, pulled over and ran toward the wreckage.
“I saw them flip over right in front of me. I stopped my truck and I just ran and jumped on top of that car trying to get them out,” Phillips recalled.
With the SUV lying on its side, Phillips climbed onto the vehicle and searched for a way to reach the occupants.
“By the grace of God, I climbed on top,” he said. “I was like, ‘I ain’t gonna be out here opening the back latch, so let me climb on top and open one of the doors.’”
Two occupants reported injuries, while the other two had scrapes and bruises. Law enforcement officers arrived shortly afterward and helped the occupants escape. Phillips remained at the scene to assist and provide information.
“I just thought I was Superman,” Phillips said. “A superhero, and you couldn’t tell me I wasn’t in that moment.”
This article first appeared in the November/December 2026 print edition of Truckload Authority, the official publication of the Truckload Carriers Association.
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.
