Vote on the What's So Special About a Truck Driver Essay Contest Sponsored by Marvin Johnson & Associates, Inc.
Candidate #1 - Bryan Harz, Old Dominion Freight Lines
Bryan is one of our Driver trainer for the OD Dock to driver program. He is the kinda driver that is always willing to help out a fellow driver in need not only Old Dominion drivers but any driver that needs help on the road. Bryan is a family man who adores his wife and kids. He is also a great friend out side of the trucking world. He would literally give you the shirt off his back if someone needed it.
Bryan is one of our Driver trainer for the OD Dock to driver program. He is the kinda driver that is always willing to help out a fellow driver in need not only Old Dominion drivers but any driver that needs help on the road. Bryan is a family man who adores his wife and kids. He is also a great friend out side of the trucking world. He would literally give you the shirt off his back if someone needed it.
Candidate #2 - Craig Gay, Quickway Carriers
Quickway's Indianapolis driver Craig Gay was on his way home from work about 1 am on July 7 when he came upon a crashed vehicle in flames at mile marker 96 on I74. Using his flashlight he determined the female driver was still in the vehicle. He called 911 and proceeded to the driver side of the vehicle. He attempted to get the drivers attention, but she was incoherent. Craig attempted to pull the woman out of the passenger side of the car, but she couldn't get out of her seatbelt. He tried to flag down assistance to get a knife or scissors. Finally, a truck with 2 men stopped and gave him scissors. Another truck driver stopped as well and used a fire extinguisher to hold down the flames, so Craig could climb in the Jeep and cut the seatbelt. Craig tried to get the woman to come out of the car but she was still out of it. Craig went back in the car and grabbed the woman from the driver's seat. Other bystanders pulled them out of the vehicle. Craig later found out the woman was diabetic and her blood sugar had dropped causing the accident. Craig was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. Indiana State Police Sergeant Jon Caddell stated "If it wasn't for the two men, we could be investigating a fatal crash this morning, their actions and selfless response saved a life."
Quickway's Indianapolis driver Craig Gay was on his way home from work about 1 am on July 7 when he came upon a crashed vehicle in flames at mile marker 96 on I74. Using his flashlight he determined the female driver was still in the vehicle. He called 911 and proceeded to the driver side of the vehicle. He attempted to get the drivers attention, but she was incoherent. Craig attempted to pull the woman out of the passenger side of the car, but she couldn't get out of her seatbelt. He tried to flag down assistance to get a knife or scissors. Finally, a truck with 2 men stopped and gave him scissors. Another truck driver stopped as well and used a fire extinguisher to hold down the flames, so Craig could climb in the Jeep and cut the seatbelt. Craig tried to get the woman to come out of the car but she was still out of it. Craig went back in the car and grabbed the woman from the driver's seat. Other bystanders pulled them out of the vehicle. Craig later found out the woman was diabetic and her blood sugar had dropped causing the accident. Craig was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. Indiana State Police Sergeant Jon Caddell stated "If it wasn't for the two men, we could be investigating a fatal crash this morning, their actions and selfless response saved a life."
Candidate #3 - Jim Achors, Stone Belt Freight Lines
Jim has dedicated his life to driving with over 3 million miles under his belt and HAS to be the most conscientious driver we have. Jim is upright and honest in everything he does. He strives to be on time and consistently maintains accurate and timely logs, ensures his equipment is safe coming and going, and is especially cognizant of other drivers when he is out there on the road. After monthly score cards come out, Jim wants to know if there is anything that can be improved. Most of the time there is not much feedback that we can give Jim because he is simply always compliant! When he first started driving one of our new trucks things seemed to take a turn. For the first week or so Jim would pop up in our safety video inbox daily as "Following Too Closely". We were wondering what was going on! Throughout the week it was obvious that Jim was really just becoming more comfortable with the new truck's pedals and how the truck drove. I could also tell that he was actively monitoring his speed (it was a digital odometer which was new to him) and checking his mirrors so that he could create distance between himself and others. After he got used to his new truck, he has stayed out of the safety video inbox and continues to be THEE best driver we have! Jim deserves this recognition for all these reasons and more! He really does make it easy for us! :)
Jim has dedicated his life to driving with over 3 million miles under his belt and HAS to be the most conscientious driver we have. Jim is upright and honest in everything he does. He strives to be on time and consistently maintains accurate and timely logs, ensures his equipment is safe coming and going, and is especially cognizant of other drivers when he is out there on the road. After monthly score cards come out, Jim wants to know if there is anything that can be improved. Most of the time there is not much feedback that we can give Jim because he is simply always compliant! When he first started driving one of our new trucks things seemed to take a turn. For the first week or so Jim would pop up in our safety video inbox daily as "Following Too Closely". We were wondering what was going on! Throughout the week it was obvious that Jim was really just becoming more comfortable with the new truck's pedals and how the truck drove. I could also tell that he was actively monitoring his speed (it was a digital odometer which was new to him) and checking his mirrors so that he could create distance between himself and others. After he got used to his new truck, he has stayed out of the safety video inbox and continues to be THEE best driver we have! Jim deserves this recognition for all these reasons and more! He really does make it easy for us! :)
Candidate #4 - Alfred Sellers, Walmart
Truck drivers are special in so many ways. They’re a unique breed of unsung heroes. I have been married to a driver for nearly twenty years. Alfred Sellers introduced me to a whole new world. Due to a past car accident, I was terrified to drive near semi-trucks. Through riding with him, I realized that driver doesn’t want to hit me any more than I want to hit them. He’s shown me how careful one must be to work in one of the most dangerous jobs in the US. I’m grateful that he drives for Walmart. They put safety at the forefront. I breathe easier knowing that he has the latest technology to help protect him. Truck drivers are angels that drive big rigs. He’s done training with group that helps fight for human trafficking. Alfred once pulled over to assist a woman who frantically waved him down. A child had managed to get himself tangled in his seatbelt, and was being strangled by it. He calmly cut the seatbelt away, and rescued the boy. Truckers have some of the biggest hearts one will ever encounter. This year, Alfred spearheaded a convoy to raise money for Make-A-Wish. Many truckers will be arriving to donate, drive, and compete all in the name of helping critically ill children. $10,000 has already been collected for these kids. What’s so special about a trucker? I’d say it’s the love in their hearts, and Alfred’s explodes with it.
Truck drivers are special in so many ways. They’re a unique breed of unsung heroes. I have been married to a driver for nearly twenty years. Alfred Sellers introduced me to a whole new world. Due to a past car accident, I was terrified to drive near semi-trucks. Through riding with him, I realized that driver doesn’t want to hit me any more than I want to hit them. He’s shown me how careful one must be to work in one of the most dangerous jobs in the US. I’m grateful that he drives for Walmart. They put safety at the forefront. I breathe easier knowing that he has the latest technology to help protect him. Truck drivers are angels that drive big rigs. He’s done training with group that helps fight for human trafficking. Alfred once pulled over to assist a woman who frantically waved him down. A child had managed to get himself tangled in his seatbelt, and was being strangled by it. He calmly cut the seatbelt away, and rescued the boy. Truckers have some of the biggest hearts one will ever encounter. This year, Alfred spearheaded a convoy to raise money for Make-A-Wish. Many truckers will be arriving to donate, drive, and compete all in the name of helping critically ill children. $10,000 has already been collected for these kids. What’s so special about a trucker? I’d say it’s the love in their hearts, and Alfred’s explodes with it.
Candidate # 5 - Don Hatfield, D&C Transportation
I would like to nominate an exceptional driver, company owner and mechanic, basically the whole ball of wax. Because without him things here wouldn't move. He works all week with us driving his own truck comes in on the weekends and hits the shop to make sure that our trucks are safe all while still trying to maintain a home life with his family. There are days I really don't think he understands how much I appreciate him, as a female driver he takes the time to explain things to me and he is supportive of things that I want to do that he doesn't have to. You see I started a nonprofit to help people with disaster relief shipments before I came to work for him and he is help me to build on it and is even paid to put our logo on one of his trailers so that when we go into a disaster people know that were there. The company comes together as a family to participate with our local Christian resource center at least once a year to help hand out supplies or Christmas presents to people in our community. I can't speak more highly of this man or his family because they've done so much to help me and all the rest of the drivers, the only thing I wished I could change was finding him sooner.
I would like to nominate an exceptional driver, company owner and mechanic, basically the whole ball of wax. Because without him things here wouldn't move. He works all week with us driving his own truck comes in on the weekends and hits the shop to make sure that our trucks are safe all while still trying to maintain a home life with his family. There are days I really don't think he understands how much I appreciate him, as a female driver he takes the time to explain things to me and he is supportive of things that I want to do that he doesn't have to. You see I started a nonprofit to help people with disaster relief shipments before I came to work for him and he is help me to build on it and is even paid to put our logo on one of his trailers so that when we go into a disaster people know that were there. The company comes together as a family to participate with our local Christian resource center at least once a year to help hand out supplies or Christmas presents to people in our community. I can't speak more highly of this man or his family because they've done so much to help me and all the rest of the drivers, the only thing I wished I could change was finding him sooner.
