Trucker Named TCA Highway Angel for

Rescuing Trapped Crash Victims

June 26th, 2025

ALEXANDRIA, VA—The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has named truck driver Tim Akins, from Asheboro, North Carolina, a TCA Highway Angel for stopping and rescuing crash victims who were trapped in their vehicle. Akins drives for ABF Freight out of Fort Smith, Arkansas.

It’s an incredible story: On May 22, 2025 around 3 p.m., in Greensboro, North Carolina, Akins was traveling down Old 421 Road when a pickup truck in front of him, pulling a trailer, lost control.

“His trailer started fishtailing back and forth,” said Akins. “It was so abrupt; jerking him everywhere.”

The trailer had become partially separated from the Dodge four-door pickup truck and ultimately the truck jackknifed and flipped on the side of the road. Akins immediately stopped his tractor and ran to the truck to help. He saw that the crashed truck’s two passengers were conscious but were trapped inside.

“I was able to bang on the windshield,” said Akins. “The driver said, ‘we’re okay, we just can’t get out.’”

Akins jumped up on the side of the truck, quickly grabbed a pocket knife and was able to cut the airbags. He then hung upside down in the truck to release one of the men’s seatbelts, and then helped them vacate the vehicle. Both passengers were able to walk away from the accident with minor injuries due to Akins being able to cut them free.

“It’s just human instinct,” Akins said. “If there’s anything I can do to help, I’m gonna do it.”

Since the TCA Highway Angel program’s inception in August 1997, nearly 1,500 professional truck drivers have been recognized as TCA Highway Angels for exemplary kindness, courtesy, and courage displayed while on the job. Thanks to the program’s presenting sponsor, EpicVue, and supporting sponsors, DriverFacts and Northland Insurance, TCA is able to showcase outstanding drivers like Akins.

The TCA Highway Angels website can be accessed at https://www.truckload.org/highway-angel/.