Melton Truck Lines Driver Honored as TCA Highway Angel for Helping Four Crash Victims in Kentucky

September 17th, 2026

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has named Sammie Phillips, a professional driver for Melton Truck Lines, a TCA Highway Angel for his courageous response after witnessing a serious rollover crash in Kentucky.

At approximately 8:10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 14, Phillips was traveling near Lexington, Kentucky when he saw an SUV carrying four young adults lose control and roll multiple times.

Phillips immediately activated his emergency lights, pulled his truck over and ran toward the wreck.

“I saw them flip over right in front of me. I stopped my truck and I just ran and jumped on top of that car trying to get them out,” Phillips said.

The SUV had rolled three or four times and came to rest on its passenger side. Phillips climbed onto the vehicle and tried to find a way to reach the occupants.

“By the grace of God, I climbed on top,” he said. “I was like, ‘I ain’t gonna be out here opening the back latch, so let me climb on top and open one of the doors.’”

Two of the four occupants told Phillips they were injured, while the other two had scrapes and bruises. Phillips said he did not hesitate to help.

“I just thought I was Superman,” he said. “Superhero  and you couldn’t tell me I wasn’t in that moment.”

Law enforcement arrived shortly afterward and assisted with getting the occupants out of the vehicle. Phillips remained at the scene to help and provide information to responding officers.

Asked why he stopped rather than simply calling 911 and continuing on his route, Phillips said he thought about his own family.

“What if that was one of my family members?” he said. “I’d want somebody to stop.”

Since the program’s inception in 1997, nearly 1,500 professional truck drivers have been recognized as Highway Angels. Thanks to the program’s presenting sponsor, EpicVue, and supporting sponsors DriverFacts and Northland Insurance, TCA is able to spotlight outstanding drivers like Phillips.

To learn more about the TCA Highway Angel program, visit TCA Highway Angel.