TCA HIGHWAY ANGEL HELPS FELLOW DRIVER ESCAPE BURNING TRUCK

02/08/2016
Alexandria, Virginia

Edward Wilcher of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, a professional truck driver for Roadrunner Expedite, of Belleville, Michigan, has been named a Highway Angel by the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA). He is being recognized for helping another Professional Driver escape from his burning truck.

On August 20, 2015, Wilcher had just parked after picking up his truck from the mechanic at Love’s truck stop in Joplin, Missouri.  He heard a horn blowing and yelling outside so he looked out to see what the commotion was. He saw flames several feet high coming out of the refer trailer of the truck next to him.  His first instinct was to move his truck away so it wouldn’t catch on fire but he quickly realized the truck on fire was all closed up and no one was exiting the truck.  “I ran to the truck and started beating on the windows and yelling to wake up the other driver to warn him of the fire. I about busted the window out,” stated Wilcher.  The driver finally woke up and jumped out the passenger window “with seconds to spare,” according to a story published on St. Joe Channel.com.

After Wilcher knew the driver was safe, he ran around to get back in his truck and move it.   As he was pulling away, the other man’s trailer exploded and caved in the sleeper berth where the driver had just been moment prior.  Wilcher keeps in touch with the other driver, who is very grateful for Wilcher who came to his rescue.

Wilcher, has been a professional truck driver for 27 years and enjoys getting to travel the country and be his own boss.

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