In the early morning of May 6, 2016, Sohi left brake check and began heading southbound on Highway 5, just north of Merritt, British Columbia. A fellow professional truck driver passed Sohi while they were leaving brake check. A few minutes down the highway, Sohi witnessed the other tractor-trailer start to lose control while going around a slight corner. The truck swerved into the northbound lane, then wrenched back towards the median and jackknifed.

Sohi pulled his truck over to the shoulder and ran to check on the driver. When he arrived at the jackknifed truck he found the driver in shock. “I saw that fuel was leaking out of his truck and I told him to turn the truck off, but he was in shock and didn’t realize what was going on,” said Sohi. He climbed into the truck and turned it off. Sohi asked the driver if there was anyone else in the truck and the driver told him his team driver was in the sleeper. He found the other professional truck driver unharmed. Sohi helped both drivers out of the truck, called 911, and stayed on-site until help arrived.

Sohi has been driving for eight years. He said that driving runs in his family, and his father was also a professional truck driver. When asked about his willingness to help, Sohi stated, “I know if I stop and help then maybe one day if I need help someone will do the same for me.” This is not the first time Sohi has stepped in to help while travelling the highways—he once pulled a man from a roll-over accident.

For his willingness to help, TCA has presented Sohi with a certificate, patch, lapel pin, and truck decals. Bison Transport has also received a certificate acknowledging Taljinder Sohi as a Highway Angel.