Congressman thanks trucker who shielded motorist from gunfire on I-70

An Illinois Congressman has issued formal recognition to a truck driver who came to the assistance of a motorist who was being shot at on a Missouri interstate earlier this month.

On April 22, Congressman John Shimkus issued a formal memo in the Congressional Record to honor truck driver Caleb Lydick.

The memo reads:

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I would like to offer my sincerest
gratitude to my constituent, Mr. Caleb Lydick, for his heroic actions on April 7, 2020.

On the afternoon of April 7, Missouri State Highway Patrol and
deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of a shooting on eastbound Interstate 70, near the 175-mile marker, in Montgomery County, Missouri. The initial investigation indicated the driver of a passenger car had fired shots from a moving vehicle, striking and disabling another vehicle also traveling eastbound, causing that vehicle to come to a rest near the 175-mile marker. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.

Troopers subsequently learned that, after the victim’s vehicle came to a stop, two tractor-trailer drivers parked their trucks around the van to shield it from additional gun fire. I later learned that Caleb Lydick, of Springerton, Illinois, was one of the courageous drivers who placed himself, and his truck, in harm’s way to protect the disabled van.

Caleb’s actions that day were both courageous and selfless, and I am grateful for the men and women, like Caleb, who rise to the occasion in a moment of danger.

Madam Speaker, I thank Caleb for his bravery and wish him safe
travels as he continues his essential work.

The suspected shooter, 28 year old Chad Michael Kennedy, was later located and arrested. He has been charged with three counts of assault first degree, one count of armed criminal action and six counts of unlawful use of a weapon.

Kennedy later told police that he believed that there was something suspicious about the vehicle he opened fire on and that he “could not allow the vehicle to leave the state of Missouri.” Kennedy reportedly attempted to pull over the vehicle, then displayed a weapon to the vehicle occupants, and finally fired multiple rounds at the vehicle.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol also issued thanks to the two truckers: “Special thanks to the remarkable truck drivers who shielded the victims after this incident.”