Highway Angel saved six victims of chain-reaction crash

Zach Yeakley, a professional truck driver with CFI, was named the 2022 Highway Angel of the Year by the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) and its Presenting Sponsor, EpicVue.

Yeakley, from Batesville, Arkansas, was formally awarded during the general session at TCA’s Annual Convention, Truckload 2023 in Orlando, Florida on March, 6. 

Yeakley was selected for the honor through a public vote after saving the lives of six victims of a chain-reaction crash.

On March 17, 2022, around 8:15 a.m., Yeakley was driving to West Memphis, Arkansas and had just crossed the state border into Charleston, Missouri. 

“Someone came across the radio saying they had a van on the shoulder on the northboud side,” recalled Yeakley in a We Drive CFI video.

Yeakley noticed thick smoke and a man wearing a safety vest alerted him of the accident that involved more than 45 vehicles.

Yeakley, a 15-year member of the Army National Guard, immediately pulled over and jumped out of his truck to help. Zach and others worked to rescue victims from vehicles that had caught fire and were in critical condition. 

“Some people had some broken arms, one had a collapsed lung, a few broken ribs from the impact.”

Police reported at least six fatalities from the fiery crash. 

Yeakley helped rescue six crash victims from several vehicles and credits his military experience for preparing him for the situation.

“Thank you for your selfless act of courage that morning,” said EpicVue CEO Lance Platt after presenting Zach with a personalized crystal truck at TCA’s Annual Convention.

Watch more about Zach’s story below.