Sam DyessA Texas-based truck driver for Melton Truck Lines has been named a Highway Angel by the Truckload Carriers Association for assisting a couple whose vehicle was pushed into his truck by another truck on a mountain overpass during a blizzard.
On Thursday, Nov. 24, Sam Dyess was just west of Cheyenne, Wyoming, on I-80 when it began snowing hard with temperatures in the low 20s. Another truck was driving ahead of Dyess, and a Jeep Wrangler was between the two trucks.
At that point, the truck in front of the Wrangler stopped in the middle of the interstate, the Wrangler stopped behind him, and Dyess stopped 20-25 feet behind the Wrangler. He then noticed the first truck was rolling backward, as they were stopped on an incline.
The Wrangler tried to reverse but was unable to avoid getting hit by the first truck and pushed into Dyess’ rig. The impact was hard enough to bust the rear window out of the Jeep.
“I was laying on the horn to get the other trucker’s attention,” Dyess said. “Then it moved forward and took off, never stopping to check on the Wrangler.”
After the truck took off, the Jeep and Dyess drove to the next exit, where they both pulled to the side of the road. Dyess jumped out to check on the driver and passenger. “They said they were okay and had called the state troopers, but were told it would be at least an hour before a trooper could arrive,” he said.
He then invited the driver and his wife to sit in his truck for nearly two hours while they waited.
For his willingness to help, TCA presented Dyess with a certificate, patch, lapel pin and truck decals. Melton Truck Lines has also received a certificate acknowledging their driver as a Highway Angel. EpicVue sponsors the Highway Angel program.
