In the early morning hours of March 13, 2012, trucker Donald Duncan, Jr.,58, was driving along the Indiana Toll Road in St. Joseph County, Indiana when a westbound truck driven by Harish Kumar was attempting to pass fellow trucker Keith Kloss.
Kumar swerved in front of the truck driven by Kloss and went off the highway. Kloss’ truck hit Kumar’s.
Duncan, a veteran driver for 42 years, was also heading west, witnessed the accident and stopped to help.
Kloss’ truck was engulfed in flames. Duncan went to the passenger side of Klass’ truck to rescue him, when police believe there was a possible explosion.
Duncan did not know Kloss had already escaped his burning rig.
Duncan was overcome with burns to his entire body.
Kloss suffered facial lacerations and broken ribs and was taken to an area hospital. Kumar was not injured, police said.
First responders transported Duncan to the Kalamazoo, Michigan burn center.
Duncan’s wife of 25 years, Audrey Duncan, remained at his side until his death, six weeks later, on April 26, 2012.
Duncan’s stepdaughter Nichole Earley told the York Dispatch that she wasn’t surprised by Duncan’s selfless act.
“That is who he was. He would do anything for anybody,” she said.
Duncan loved Harley’s and spending time with his family.
Audrey Duncan said she wasn’t surprised that her husband stopped that fateful morning in Indiana to help two fellow truck drivers.
“That’s just the type of person he was,” she said. “When it comes to truck drivers, they look out for each other.”