Goodyear Names Covenant Driver as Its Highway Hero

Highway Hero finalists were (left to right) Will Clark, Bryan Effle, Oscar Gonzalez, winner Larry ‘Scott’ Travis and Bill Johnson.

Goodyear announced Larry “Scott” Travis as the winner of its 19th annual North American Highway Hero award. Travis, a trucker from Albuquerque, N.M., saved a woman’s life by pulling her from a burning vehicle last year.

Travis, a master trainer for Covenant Transportation in Chattanooga, Tenn., received a $10,000 savings bond and a diamond ring at a presentation at the Mid-America Trucking Show.
Travis was traveling near Sheridan, Ark., Aug. 7, 2001, when he saw flames coming from a sport utility vehicle that had run into a deep ditch. After pulling the woman driver from the vehicle, he struggled to pull her through the high overgrowth and was burned repeatedly as he was showered with flame and ash. Just seconds after Travis rescued the woman, the vehicle exploded.

“Mr. Travis put himself in extreme danger to rescue a total stranger, and demonstrated a courage under pressure that is truly awe-inspiring,” said Ted Fick, vice president of Goodyear Commercial Tire Systems.

Goodyear also presented $5,000 saving bonds and plaques to four finalists for the award:

  • William Clark of York, Pa., a driver for Frito Lay, who kicked in the windshield of a burning truck to rescue the driver.
  • Bill Johnson and Bryan Effle, of Norfolk, Neb., drivers for Ruan Transportation, who rescued a teenage boy who had been ejected from his car and was lying in a ditch filled with water.
  • Oscar Gonzalez, of Laredo, Texas, a driver for Averitt Express, who rescued a 6-year-old girl from a burning pickup truck. The girl suffered third-degree burns. He also moved four victims away from another vehicle.
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