DRIVER WITH NEARLY 50 YEARS EXPERIENCE HELPS EXTINGUISH BURNING RV ON BUSY HIGHWAY

7/22/2022
Alexandria, Virginia          

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has named Phil Jackson from Tyler, Texas, a Highway Angel for attempting to extinguish an RV burning on the side of the road.

It’s an incredible story: On July 2, 2022, Jackson was driving on 287 South in Moore County, Texas. Just then, he noticed an RV on fire on the side of the road, with its passengers trying to determine how to extinguish it. The RV had a trailer attached with a car on it, as well.

“I realized it was a motorhome on fire,” Jackson shared with TCA. “So, I pulled off on the shoulder and grabbed my fire extinguisher.”

Without a moment to spare, Jackson ran across the divided highway with his fire extinguisher in hand to put the fire out, but realized the fire was too large for just his extinguisher.

“It looked like they had ruptured a fuel line,” recalled Jackson. “There was a pretty good little fire going down in there.”

In order to save the trailer and car attached to the motorhome, Jackson worked quickly to unhook the vehicle from the RV. He stayed on the scene until emergency personnel arrived.

“I felt really bad for the people,” he said. In regard to the RV, “it was pretty much gone.” Fortunately, the trailer and car on it were saved.  

Jackson has been driving a truck since 1975 and has been a volunteer firefighter and first responder over the years, which aided him in knowing how to act quickly in this emergency situation.  

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.