DRIVER SAVES COUPLE AND TRUCK AFTER THEIR CAMPER CATCHES FIRE

12/31/2015
Alexandria, Virginia

Mack Parks of Wichita Falls, Texas, a professional truck driver for Melton Truck Lines, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, has been named a Highway Angel by the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA). He is being recognized for helping an elderly couple while their camper was on fire.

On May 2, 2015, Parks was driving on I-65, near Franklin, Indiana when he noticed that a camper being hauled by a truck was on fire.  Parks drove along side the truck and noticed an elderly couple driving unaware of the camper fire. After several attempts to get the couple’s attention Parks was finally able to alert them of the fire and they moved to the side of the road.  Parks knew from his experience as a volunteer firefighter that the camper was too engulfed in flames to save it and focused his attention on removing the burning camper from the truck. “I knew the camper had to be lifted off the hitch and the truck moved away fast to avoid the fire from spreading to the vehicle and causing even more damage,” Parks said.  Frustrated but determined to move the truck by himself Parks was glad to finally see another motorist stop to help lift the camper off the truck. Sadly the couple had all their belongings in the camper and it was a total loss but thankfully the quick action of Mack Parks saved the couples truck and possibly their lives.

Parks unfortunately knew what they were going through all to well since he had lost his house in a fire in 2012. “When you lose all your belongings you learn what is most important in life.  As a driver, everyone preaches safety and I am glad I was able to do my part and keep everyone safe.”

Parks has been driving for Melton Truck Lines for 2 years after serving in the Army National Guard and is also a volunteer firefighter.

For his willingness to help, TCA has presented Parks with a certificate, patch, lapel pin, and truck decal. Melton Truck Lines also received a certificate acknowledging that one of its drivers is a Highway Angel.

TCA’s Highway Angel program is sponsored by EpicVue. Both organizations are honored to recognize deserving professional truck drivers as Highway Angels for the unusual kindness, courtesy, and courage they have shown others while on the job.