BINYAM TADELE EXTRACTS UNAWARE DRIVER OUT OF VEHICLE 

4/8/2022
Alexandria, Virginia          

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has named truck driver Binyam Tadele, from Baltimore, Maryland, a Highway Angel for spotting a fire under a car, extinguishing it, and getting the driver out of the vehicle safely. 

It’s an inspiring story: Tadele has been driving a truck for Schofield, an independent affiliate of Quality Carriers, for over four years, and recently was driving from Baltimore to Shippensburg on I-70. It was a weekday, between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m., and he was moving slowly through fog when he noticed a car that appeared to have flames coming from underneath it. “As I’m passing, the flame started getting bigger,” Tadele shared with TCA. He continued to watch the car, which was pulled over, in his mirror. “The flame got worse, and the people were not coming out.” 

Without a moment to spare, Tadele safely pulled over, grabbed a fire extinguisher and ran back to the smoldering car. A woman, wearing hospital scrubs, was alone in the car. He yelled at her, “Hey! Your car’s on fire! You gotta get out!” 

The woman, unaware of the fire, exited the vehicle, called 911, and Tadele proceeded to extinguish the fire. He said he is glad he saw the fire when it was “still small – it could have been worse for her.” 

Tadele stayed with the woman until emergency crews arrived to assist.  

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.