On September 13, 2012, around 1:45 p.m., veteran driver Ronnie Milner was driving southbound on I-57 near Gilman, Illinois, when he saw a car sitting sideways in the lanes.
Milner, an ABF Freight System, Inc. driver, turned on his flashers and stopped his truck, then went to check on the Buick’s occupants.
An disoriented elderly couple was in the car. They had just crashed into the median cables. The car came to rest in the middle of the highway and was blocking traffic.
Milner invited the couple into his truck and out of harm’s way, then he called 911.
Milner stayed with the couple until authorities arrived.
Milner says he has “seen some good, and seen some bad” during his 20 plus years on the road. “I did no more than anyone else would do,” he said. “I don’t know how you could just drive by.”
For his efforts, Milner was awarded the Truckload Carriers Association Highway Angel award.
The Highway Angel program is sponsored for TCA by Internet Truckstop. Since the program’s inception in August 1997, hundreds of drivers have been recognized as Highway Angels for the unusual kindness, courtesy, and courage they have shown others while on the job. TCA has received letters and e-mails from people across North America nominating truck drivers for the program.