“Boss, I’m delayed. Im sorry.”
This is what Henrik Christensen, account manager at J.B. Hunt, heard from driver, Andrew Waits, following his intervention with a life-threatening accident. After a motorcyclist was thrown from his vehicle on a busy, four-lane highway, Waits quickly positioned his tractor trailer to shield the unconscious motorcyclist from oncoming traffic and attended to the injured man using skills he learned as a volunteer firefighter until first responders could arrive.
Check out the press conference and the acceptance speech here.
Waits was recognized as Goodyear’s 2022 Highway Hero winner for his swift thinking and courage to act while a life was on the line. This program has celebrated professional truck drivers who act courageously for the good of others on highways across the United States and Canada since 1983.
“You never know what you’re going to see on any given day,” Andrew said. “This accident happened right in front of me, and I had to think quick. I utilized my knowledge and instincts to help those in need at a very crucial time.”
Andrew is the first driver from J.B. Hunt to receive the award from Goodyear. In September 2022, Goodyear asked the trucking community to nominate a driver in their life who demonstrated an extraordinary act of courage on the road. After receiving dozens of inspiring story submissions, finalists were identified and a panel of independent industry judges voted on the grand prize winner. The two additional finalists also have incredible stories:
- Barry Perkins, Program Finalist: Barry of Burlington, New Jersey, encountered a life-threatening accident that involved numerous cars, including a vehicle that caught fire with a family trapped inside. Barry extinguished the fire and helped the driver and her children exit the vehicle and get safely off the road.
- Robert Windsor, Program Finalist: Robert of Norman, Oklahoma, encountered a vehicle that was pinned underneath a semi-truck and engulfed in flames. Robert used his fire extinguisher to neutralize the flames before rescuing a young girl from the pinned vehicle.
As program finalists, Andrew, Barry and Robert join the exclusive family of past honorees celebrating professional truck drivers who act selflessly for the good of others on the highways throughout the U.S. and Canada.
