Trucker uses his rig to protect motorist in I-440 accident

Truck driver

A Tennessee trucker was recently recognized for his efforts to protect the victim of an accident that occurred on Interstate 440 in Nashville.

The Truckload Carriers Association named truck driver Tony Barton, from Blountville, Tennessee, a Highway Angel for using his truck to block and protect a vehicle and driver that had crashed during a late-afternoon crash. Barton drives for FTC Transportation, Inc. based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 

TCA explains:

On April 21, at 4:45 p.m., Barton was driving through Nashville, Tennessee on Interstate 440 when he noticed a black BMW SUV fishtailing.
Shortly thereafter, emergency personnel arrived on the scene and tended to the motorist, thanks to Barton’s efforts. He said he has been a volunteer firefighter for decades and knew how to respond in a situation like this.

Within moments, the driver lost control and ran head-on into a concrete barrier. Barton watched as the vehicle rolled over completely, landing back onto its wheels, coming to a rest next to his truck.

Barton stopped immediately. “I didn’t want to T-bone this woman that just rolled her car,” he said. “It was right in the middle of the road.” He quickly dialed 911 and rushed to check on the motorist.

Once Barton reached the crashed vehicle, he found the woman conscious and talking, but in great pain and seemed confused. He kept his rig parked in the middle of the interstate to block and protect the vehicle from being hit by oncoming traffic, until emergency responders arrived.

“I wanted to block the lane so nobody else could hit her,” he said. “My first instinct in any kind of accident like that is to help do whatever I can for somebody that’s injured – it’s not the worst wreck I’ve seen, but it’s not the smallest either.”

TCA has presented him with a certificate, patches, lapel pin, and truck decals. The company has also received a letter acknowledging him as a Highway Angel.

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.