Article Summary
Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, July 2, 2026:
- New Mack Pioneer celebrates America's birthday.
- CDL applicant guilty of bribery learns legal fate.
- “I’ve been driving for 29 years, and I learned from older drivers. That’s like a code -- you just don’t drive by.” --Highway Angel Harry Gough
The America 250 patriotic Pioneer from Mack
The July 4 holiday is just a couple days away, and Mack Trucks is celebrating America's 250th anniversary with the debut of a limited-edition America 250 tribute truck.
The rig is a custom-wrapped Mack Pioneer honoring Mack’s American roots and longstanding role helping move the country forward.
The truck pays tribute to the spirit of freedom, strength and pride that has shaped the nation's history, the company said.Mack Trucks
A bold “eagle” flag treatment runs along both sides of the truck, creating the impression of the American flag flying down the road, and the themes “250 Years of Freedom” and “America 250” are featured prominently in recognition of the national milestone.
The America 250 tribute truck will be on display at Mack Trucks’ World Headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina, throughout the month of July.
Drivers traveling along I-40 will be able to see the truck from the highway, and visitors are welcome to stop by Mack's visitor parking lot to view the truck up close and take photos.
“As a company built on American heritage, Mack is honored to recognize this historic moment with a truck that celebrates the people, progress and pride that continue to define the United States,” said David Galbraith, Mack Trucks vice president of global brand and marketing.
[Related: Peterbilt launches limited-edition 'Freedom 250' 589]
CDL applicant guilty of bribery gets time served, $2K fine
An Idaho man who earlier this year pleaded guilty to federal program bribery for bribing a CDL skills test examiner was sentenced June 16 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho.
Ryan Basnaw, of Meridian, Idaho, was sentenced to time served, a $2,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
Basnaw in March admitted to, on July 2, 2025, offering and agreeing to give a commercial driver’s license (CDL) skills tester $500 in exchange for a passing score on a CDL skills test without ever taking the test. Basnaw did so to remove three restrictions from his CDL.
[Related: CDL applicant pleads guilty for bribing skills tester]
Highway Angel recognized for helping downed motorcyclist
Harry Gough, a truck driver for Capela Transport Inc., is the latest Highway Angel so named by the Truckload Carriers Association for his quick thinking and selfless actions following a serious motorcycle crash in Pennsylvania.
Harry Gough
After stopping to make sure help was on the way, Gough became concerned that passing motorists were not slowing down enough as they approached the scene.
“Traffic was not really slowing down,” he recalled. “There were people trying to direct traffic, but nobody had reflective clothing on. It was a recipe for another accident.”
Recognizing the danger, Gough drove a short distance ahead, turned his truck around, and positioned it to force approaching vehicles into the center turn lane, creating a protective barrier between traffic and the injured rider.
The motorcyclist remained protected until emergency responders, a towing company, and volunteer firefighters arrived on scene.
“The people behind him stopped, which was really cool,” Gough said. “They didn’t just keep going.”
When company officials learned of the incident, they were not surprised to discover who had stepped in to help.
“When our team heard about the incident from text messages from the towing company and ultimately the rider himself, we were not surprised when we researched and discovered which of our drivers had been so selfless,” said a representative from Capela Transport. “This is the type of human Harry is.”
For Gough, helping was simply the right thing to do.
“I’ve been driving for 29 years, and I learned from older drivers,” he said. “That’s like a code -- you just don’t drive by.”
