Two drivers recognized for aiding student who had heart attack behind the wheel

Two truck drivers have been recognized for helping a student driver in distress.

The Truckload Carriers Association named truck drivers Anthony Scerbo and Lee Thomson Highway Angels for helping a fellow truck driver who had a heart attack while driving and administered lifesaving CPR.  

York, Pennsylvania-based S&H Express’ Scerbo was in the middle of a shift on Dec.18, when he spotted an ASAP CDL Training Academy truck approaching him. Shelly Truck Driving School, an affiliate of S&H Express, has a contract to test ASAP’s CDL candidates and Thomson, a Shelly Truck Driving School Instructor, was testing an ASAP student driver. 

Lee ThomsonScerbo thought something was odd when he noticed the ASAP truck was up on the sidewalk and Thomson’s hand was out the window motioning for him to stop. 

“It’s amazing how quickly our brains process that something is very, very wrong,” Scerbo said. 

Anthony ScerboAs Scerbo pulled alongside the ASAP truck, Thomson shouted that the CDL candidate he was testing had a heart attack while driving. Thomson had already called 911 and the dispatcher said to start CPR. Without a moment to spare, Scerbo hopped out of his truck and ran over to assist. Thomson unbuckled the student, flung open the door, and Scerbo pulled him out of the truck and placed him gently onto the ground. 

“I put the student on his back with his ankles crossed and arms out – crucifix position – with his head turned to the side,” recalled Scerbo. “The guy didn’t have a pulse and he wasn’t breathing so I started chest compression.” Scerbo couldn’t detect a heartbeat so he continued CPR until emergency personnel took over a short time later.  

Thanks to quick thinking by Thomson and Scerbo, the student survived.  

TCA has presented Scerbo and Thomson with certificates, patches, lapel pins, and truck decals. The trucking company and driver training school has also received letters acknowledging the two men as Highway Angels.

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.

TCA gave thanks to the program’s presenting sponsor, EpicVue, and supporting sponsor, DriverFacts.