ABF FREIGHT DRIVER HELPS MOTORIST FOLLOWING COLLISION WITH DUMP TRUCK

11/13/2020
Alexandria, Virginia  

The Truckload Carriers Association has named Josh Elmore, from Lincolnton, North Carolina, a Highway Angel for stopping to help a driver after his vehicle collided with a dump truck. This is his second set of Highway Angel wings. Elmore assisted a motorist on February 20, 2015 after her car caught fire.

It was a beautiful Summer morning and Elmore was northbound on U.S. 220 near Madison, North Carolina. “I was talking to another driver and checking my mirrors and my speed,” he shared with TCA. “All of a sudden, I saw a big cloud of smoke or dust in front of me. I realized there was a dump truck and car that had made contact.” The car was spinning around ahead of Elmore in the left lane and the dump truck was in the right lane. “The car hit the guardrail,” he recalled. “I started getting on my brakes to slow and stop and make sure cars behind me didn’t hit him. My first reaction was to stop, protect the scene, and then go check on the driver. I threw my hazards on and came to a stop, blocking traffic in the left lane.” As Elmore jumped out, a power company truck stopped traffic in the right lane. He could see that the dump truck went around the bend and pulled over.  

Elmore ran to check on the driver in the car. “There was debris all over the road,” he said. “The driver’s air bags had deployed and I didn’t know what to expect.” As Elmore approached the car he was relieved to see the driver was getting out. “I checked him for injuries and asked him several times if he was okay. He was able to walk around, but was shaken up. He said he was on his way to Raleigh for a business meeting.” Elmore remained on the scene for about an hour. He shared that he’s been in a wreck before and understands what it’s like. “I try to help people when I can, show some compassion. Whatever happens, I hope I’m never in too much of a hurry to stop and help somebody. I try to live by that code every day. That’s the way I was raised.” 

When interviewed in 2015, Elmore, who has been driving for ABF since 2006, shared with TCA that his dad also drove for the company.

For his willingness to assist, TCA has presented Elmore with a certificate, patch, lapel pin, and truck decals. His employer has also received a certificate acknowledging their driver 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.