Trucker named Highway Angel for swerving into ditch to avoid head-on collision

Jim KurentJim Kurent

Burlington, Vermont-based truck driver Jim Kurent has been named a Highway Angel by the Truckload Carriers Association for his efforts to avoid a major highway collision.

The ABF Freight driver, on Jan. 19, was on a two-lane highway in Vermont when a Subaru going the opposite direction crossed the center line right in front of him. Kurent was able to swerve out of the way to avoid hitting the car head-on.

The car bounced off the side of Kurent’s truck and ended up on the other side of the road, while his truck slid into a ditch. Both Kurent and the driver of the Subaru walked away unscathed.

It was later determined that the car driver was apparently listening to an audiobook and was distracted and didn’t notice he was drifting into oncoming traffic.

“I wouldn’t say this was a heroic deed, but I was just alert and doing my job as I always do,” Kurent said. “The driver of the car made a comment that my actions saved his life. I don’t know about that. But if I wouldn’t have been alert and swerved into the ditch, 50 miles an hour verses 50 miles an hour head on would not have turned out as safe as it did.”

For his quick reactions, TCA presented Kurent with a certificate, patch, lapel pin and truck decals. ABF Freight also received a certificate acknowledging their driver as a Highway Angel. EpicVue sponsors the TCA Highway Angel program.

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