BISON TRANSPORT DRIVER HELPS CRASH VICTIM IN 6-DEGREE WEATHER

5/5/2022
Alexandria, Virginia          

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has named truck driver Larry Williams, from Linden, Alberta, Canada, a Highway Angel for stopping to aid a driver after his vehicle flipped twice in 6-degree weather.

It’s an inspiring story: On March 8, 2022, Williams was driving on Highway 1 just west of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, when he saw a Dodge Ram Crew Cab pickup truck fishtail on the road and flip over twice before landing in a ditch. Williams safely pulled his truck over about ¾ of a mile ahead.

Just his luck, Williams had no cell phone reception, but was able to flag down a passing car who called 911 and then gave Williams their phone. Without a moment or spare, Williams ran back to the scene of the accident while talking to the 911 dispatch, who transferred him to the ambulance dispatch.

Once at the accident scene, all the vehicle airbags had been deployed and windows blown out. The driver was a 56-year-old male, and was trying to climb out of the truck.

“He just looked at me and said ‘What the heck happened?’ He was in shock and shaking and whatnot,” recalled Williams. “I asked him to sit down and relax; I ran back to the truck and I grabbed a wool sleeping bag.”

In the 6-degree weather, Williams then returned to the accident scene and wrapped the dazed driver in a sleeping bag. Emergency personnel arrived soon after and the driver was tended to.

TCA has presented him with a certificate, patches, lapel pin, and truck decals. The company has also received a letter acknowledging him as a Highway Angel.

Since the program’s inception in August 1997, nearly 1,300 professional truck drivers have been recognized as Highway Angels for the exemplary kindness, courtesy, and courage they have displayed while on the job.

Special thanks to the program’s Presenting Sponsor, EpicVue, and Supporting Sponsor, DriverFacts.