Panther Expedited Services has recognized Mike Schiotis for his heroic action in the Nov. 1 rescue of a Mount Pocono, Pa., woman who was under attack alongside Interstate 380. Schiotis came to the aid of the 41-year-old female driver as she was being beaten and shot at by an ex-boyfriend.
After spotting the roadside scuffle, Schiotis stopped his truck, protecting the woman from further blows, and drove her to the highway patrol, who he had called from his cab. The attacker was taken into custody and charged with attempted homicide.
“We are very proud of Mike and his exceptional bravery under these extreme circumstances,” said Kyle Mitchin, Panther recruiting director. “Panther is made up of quality individuals, and we are humbled by the dedication that they show on a daily basis.”
Schiotis said the whole thing seemed like something out of a movie for him. While at first he thought the woman was just having car trouble, he said he realized it was a lot more serious after he saw the woman was bleeding. “I knew I couldn’t ignore her and just go on down the road and later read that something bad had happened to her,” he said.
Schiotis, a native of Spring Hill, Tenn., has worked as an independent contractor with Panther for two years.