Trucker Named TCA Highway Angels for Aiding Injured UPS Driver on Desolate Highway

10/18/2023
Alexandria, Virginia

ALEXANDRIA, VA—The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has named truck driver Casey Waidelich, from Colorado Springs, CO, a TCA Highway Angel for stopping to help an injured UPS driver in the middle of the night when her truck crashed on a desolate Wyoming highway. Waidelich drives for ABF Freight out of Fort Smith, AK.

It’s an incredible story: On October 10, 2023 around 2:30 a.m., just over the Colorado border, ABF road driver Waidelich was traveling southbound on Highway 287, near Laramie, WY. Waidelich noticed a driver on the northbound side of the highway shining a light.

“She was flashing a flashlight to try to get somebody’s attention,” he said. “I got up a little further and found a turnaround point and came back to see if anybody needed help.”

Waidelich pulled over to check on the individual and discovered it was a UPS truck that had struck an elk. The UPS truck had gone up over a guardrail and had rolled over onto its right side.

Waidelich immediately assisted the driver, who had a gash on her head that was bleeding profusely. He called 911, which informed ABF that due to the remote location of the accident, the estimated arrival time for the Colorado State Police and EMS could take up to two hours.

“I gave her something to put on her head to keep pressure on, and told (EMS) where the area was and they asked me if I could wait around,” he said.

Waidelich stayed with the UPS driver for 45 minutes or so until emergency responders arrived. He monitored the driver’s status, and kept the driver calm until EMS arrived on scene.

“I always stop for people, especially if it’s a wreck, especially if it’s out in the middle of nowhere,” Waidelich said.

The UPS driver was taken to the hospital and was later admitted for observations.

Since the TCA Highway Angels program’s inception in August 1997, nearly 1,300 professional truck drivers have been recognized as Highway Angels for exemplary kindness, courtesy, and courage displayed while on the job. Thanks to the program’s presenting sponsor, EpicVue, and supporting sponsor, DriverFacts, TCA is able to showcase outstanding drivers like Mr. Waidelich.