Louisiana truckers, fleets honored at driving competition

Some 108 truck drivers with a combined 175 million accident-free miles competed in the 2016 Louisiana Motor Transport Association (LMTA) Truck Driving Championships in Baton Rouge March 18-19.

The association also named its driver of the year: Henry Bruster, UPS Freight, Port Allen.

Henry Bruster (second from the left) is a member of the America’s Road Team for 2015-2016.

That award is presented to the outstanding professional driver based on their background, number of accident free driving years and years experience who has performed an outstanding deed of heroism or highway courtesy, made an outstanding contribution to highway safety, and/or has a long record of safe and courteous driving.

There were nine classes of competition, and trophies were awarded to the first, second and third place finishers in each class. Also handed out were a number of individual awards:

  • Mechanics Award: Alfred Wire, Covington. C & S Grocers
  • Rookie of the Year: Jordan Beni, Marion, Brookshire Grocery
  • Team Trophy: Walmart Stores, Opelousas
  • Grand Champion: Eric Courville, Breaux Bridge, FedEx Freight

Among those honored were the 2015 Great West Casualty Fleet Safety Award winners. The Great West Casualty Fleet Safety Awards recognize companies with outstanding safety records in various mileage categories in Louisiana.

Additionally, awards were presented to the company with the greatest improved safety record for 2015 compared to 2014 and the President’s Trophy for the company with the overall best record from all categories. The 2015 Great West Fleet Safety Award winners for Louisiana, based on miles traveled in Louisiana, were:

  •  Under 1,000,000 Miles: Arabie Trucking Services, LLC
  • 1,000,001 – 3,000,000 Miles: Brookshire Grocery Company, C & S Wholesale Services, Inc., Groendyke Transport, Inc.
  • 6,000,001 – 9,000,000 Miles: Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc., YRC Freight
  • 9,000,001 – 12,000,000 Miles: Dupre’ Logistics, LLC – Site Logistics, ELTM, L.P., Quality Transport, Inc.
  • 12,000,001 – 20,000,000 Miles: Walmart Stores, Inc.

Most Improved: AAA Cooper Transportation

President’s Trophy: Walmart Stores, Inc.

All first place winners will represent LMTA and the state of Louisiana in the 2016 ATA National Truck Driving Championships in Indianapolis Aug. 9 through 13.  Winners of the LMTA competition were:

Straight Truck 

  • 1st Place: Corey Mitchell, Shreveport, FedEx Freight
  • 2nd Place: Jeffery Trim, Baton Rouge, FedEx Ground
  • 3rd Place: David Walker, Hodge, Hercules Transport

3 Axle Van

  • 1st Place: Joseph Brown, Zachary,FedEx Freight
  • 2nd Place: Chris Hall, Shreveport, FedEx Freight
  • 3rd Place: Leroy Williams, Zachary, XPO Logistics

 4 Axle Van 

  • 1st Place: Xavier Theriot, Shreveport, FedEx Freight
  • 2nd Place: Jordan Beni, Marion, Brookshire Grocery
  • 3rd Place: Todd Watson, Baker, FedEx Freight

5 Axle Van

  • 1st Place: Louis Scaruffi, Kenner, C & S Grocers
  • 2nd Place: Calvin Cannon, Springfield, C & S Grocers
  • 3rd Place: Larry Peltier, Jr., Brusly, Martin Brower

 5 Axle Tank

  • 1st Place: Kyle Mitchell, Baton Rouge, FedEx Freight
  • 2nd Place: Gary Tyler, Monroe, Brookshire Grocery
  • 3rd Place: Mickey St. Andrie, Oakdale, Quality Transport

 5 Axle Flatbed

  • 1st Place: Curtis McMellon, Calhoun, XPO Logistics
  • 2nd Place: Joseph Vital, Port Allen, FedEx Freight
  • 3rd Place: Henry Cockerham, Denham Springs, UPS Freight

Twins

  • 1st Place: Mark Judson, Maurice, FedEx Freight
  • 2nd Place: Damien Hebert, Lafayette, XPO Logistics
  • 3rd Place: Richard Gibbs, Shreveport, FedEx Freight

Sleeper

  • 1st Place: Eric Courville, Breaux Bridge, FedEx Freight
  • 2nd Place: Chad Rudesill, Tickfaw, FedEx Ground
  • 3rd Place: Darrell Robichaux, Metairie, AAA Cooper

Step Van

  • 1st Place: Cheramie Courville-Finnan, Breaux Bridge, FedEx Ground
  • 2nd Place: Andrea Nixon, Port Allen, FedEx Ground
  • 3rd Place: Randy Guillory, Lake Charles, FedEx Ground