Chosen from three finalists, Julian Kaczor (above left) of Utica, N.Y., received the 33rd Goodyear Highway Hero Award on March 31 during the Mid-America Trucking Show. Kaczor was driving through Jacksonville, Fla., when a car drive past him at a high speed, nearly clipping his truck. The car crashed into a construction barrier and began to emit smoke. Kaczor ran to the car as it became engulfed in flames, which he tried to extinguish. As the fire intensified, he forced the car’s driver side door open, pulled the injured driver out of the vehicle, and dragged him to safety.

“Julian acted instantly to help another person who was in need, without regard for his own well-being,” said Gary Medalis, Goodyear’s marketing director. “His decision to get involved exemplifies the courage and decisiveness of professional truck drivers.”

As the winner, Kaczor receives a special Highway Hero ring, a $5,000 prize and other items.

The Goodyear Highway Hero Award winner was selected by an independent panel of trucking industry judges.

“Goodyear is proud to be the company that honors truck drivers for their heroism,” said Medalis (pictured above right). “Each of our Highway Hero Award finalists is a hero in his own right and is truly worthy of recognition.”