TEAM DRIVERS RESCUE BOY FOLLOWING FATAL HEAD-ON COLLISION

12/02/2020
Alexandria, Virginia

The Truckload Carriers Association has named William and Becky Gregory, from Shelbyville, Tennessee, a Highway Angel for rescuing and caring for a boy following a two-vehicle crash that killed his father. 

William and Becky Gregory are owner-operators who drive team for Titan Transfer, Inc. Around 9 p.m. on June 4, 2020, they were westbound on I-40 driving a load to California. William was behind the wheel and Becky was in the sleeper with their dog. Traffic came to a stop and he moved to the slow lane. “There were four trucks ahead me,” recalled William. “I could see people running with fire extinguishers.” He quickly jumped out and ran up to see if he could help. “Two cars had hit head on,” he shared with TCA. The first vehicle was on the shoulder and the elderly driver was deceased. The other vehicle was on fire. “There were several people using fire extinguishers.” He could see this driver was also deceased. “There was a boy slumped down on the floor board, but we had to get the flames extinguished before we could get him out.” The vehicle was crumpled. The group worked quickly. Once the flames were out, one driver pulled up on the dash. The windshield was already gone. William helped the 10-year-old boy out of the wreckage and handed him to another driver who held him until help arrived. “We sat there and talked to him,” shared William. “He kept asking for his dad, we told him people were taking care of him.” The boy was badly hurt, sustaining many broken bones.  

Becky was awakened by their barking dog. “She got out of the truck wondering what was going on,” said William. “We sat there and talked to the boy to keep him calm until the Life Flight arrived and took him.” The Gregorys learned a couple weeks later the child had several surgeries and was expected to make a full recovery. “I’ve come across some rough ones (accidents),” shared William, “but this was the worst.” He’s been driving for 28 years. He and Becky have been married for 33 years and team driving for 20 years.    

TCA has presented the Gregorys with a certificate, patch, lapel pin, and truck decals. Their employer has also received a certificate as well.

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.

The program is made possible by Presenting Sponsor, EpicVue, and Supporting Sponsor, DriverFacts.