Trucker Named TCA Highway Angel for

Helping Injured Crash Victim

July 31st, 2025

ALEXANDRIA, VA—The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has named truck driver Alexander Smith a TCA Highway Angel for stopping to help during a horrific crash in the middle of the night in Oklahoma. Smith drives for Melton Truck Lines out of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

It’s an incredible story. Around 2:00 a.m. on June 18th, 2025, Smith was driving westbound on I-44 in heavy rain. A car passed him, then passed the semi in front of him.  He witnessed the car hydroplane and lose control. The vehicle flipped and spun multiple times before finally landing on the shoulder of the highway.

“I realized the guy was doing flips — he was doing them right in front of the other semi,” he said, noting that the other truck did not stop, even though he had to have seen the crash. Smith immediately slowed down to create space between his truck and the wrecked car. He then pulled over, got out, and rushed to check on the driver.

“He landed right side up in the ditch,” Smith said. “All the airbags were deployed; Honestly after watching what happened I thought there’s no way this guy is alive.”

When he reached the vehicle, the driver had some visible cuts and scrapes but was conscious.

“The guy was just sitting there looking at me,” Smith said. “Obviously he was in shock, but the first thing he said to me was, “Can you help me find my phone?””

Smith asked if he was okay, helped him out of the car to safety, and called 911.

The young man was clearly shaken and had suffered minor injuries, but thankfully, nothing serious. He was deeply grateful that Smith had been there to help.

“I stopped because I was there,” he said. “Who else was gonna do it? I believe that you’re put in places for a reason.”

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 Smith.

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