Georgia Driver Named Goodyear Highway Hero

Georgia trucker Charles Ingram was named the 2002 Goodyear Highway Hero at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Lousville, Ky.

The 20th annual Goodyear North America Highway Hero is Georgia trucker Charles Ingram, who risked his life to break out the windows of a burning car and pull two passengers to safety.

Ingram, a six-year veteran driver for FedEx Ground, accepted the award and a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky. Ingram was driving in the Atlanta area when he came upon a burning car. Bystanders were not trying to help the two people trapped in the car.

“I thought, ‘No way am I going to let this guy go out like this,’ so I just reacted,” Ingram said. After removing the victims, Ingram administered first aid, using training he learned in the military.

The other finalists were:

  • Ron Lantz, Ludlow, Ky., who is credited with helping end the sniper shootings in the Washington, D.C., area. Lantz recognized the suspects’ car at a rest stop and blocked the exit with his rig.
  • Anthony Gouverneur, Evansville, Ind., who saved the life of a motorist by pulling her from a burning vehicle. His face and armed were burned during the rescue.
  • Sebastian Lisitano, Winter Park, Fla., who quickly reacted to a multiple vehicle accident. He lifted a burning vehicle while another motorist helped pull the driver out.
    Highway Hero nominations can be made by visiting www.highwayhero.net.
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