Unconscious pickup driver trapped, on fire himself: This trucker's role in his rescue

Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025:

Driver recognized after helping unconscious, on-fire crash victim

Alto, Georgia-based truck driver William Mitchell, who drives for Penske Logistics, has been named a Highway Angel by the Truckload Carriers Association for stopping to help a pickup truck driver who was unconscious and on fire, trapped under his vehicle after crashing into a tanker truck.

On Oct. 16, 2024, in Jefferson, Georgia, Mitchell was waiting at a red light on a divided highway, U.S. Highway 129 and Henry D. Robinson Boulevard, when he witnessed the collision between the pickup and a big tanker truck.

William MitchellWilliam Mitchell“I guess he hit him right in the fuel tank,” Mitchell said. “It was an instant fireball. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a car accident that had an explosion like that other than in a movie.”

After the explosion, Mitchell quickly parked and ran to the pickup truck to check on the driver.

“I thought, 'if for whatever reason they didn’t die on impact, they are surely unconscious or something,'” he said. “And I know I would not want to be left in a vehicle and be burned alive.”

After running to the pickup truck, Mitchell saw the driver had been ejected and was underneath the truck, on fire himself. The truck was also on fire. He ran to his truck and grabbed his fire extinguisher and ran back and extinguished the fire.

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“By then two other gentlemen had come and helped me get the driver a couple feet from the truck,” Mitchell said.

They tried, to no avail, to extinguish the fire near the tanker truck. “It was just everywhere; there was just no point in trying that,” he said.

The tanker had rolled over during the crash, and its driver managed to crawl out of the cab and get out of harm’s way. While the injured pickup truck driver was listed in stable condition, the driver of the tanker truck walked away with no injuries.

“I’m a very compassionate person, I guess,” Mitchell said. “I’m always in the mindset of ‘what would I want somebody to do for me?’ I surely would want somebody to save me and not leave me there.”

[Related: 'God had me there for a reason': Highway Angel saves six in Hurrcane Helene floodwaters]

Officials seize $8.1M in meth from truck at border

$8.1 million meth seizurePackages containing nearly 890 pounds of methamphetamine were seized from a tractor-trailer by CBP officers at the World Trade Bridge in Laredo, Texas.U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionU.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations officers at the Laredo Port of Entry last week seized methamphetamine from a tractor-trailer that totaled greater than $8.1M in street value.

“World Trade Bridge officers successfully intercepted methamphetamine, preventing this dangerous drug substance from reaching our communities,” said Port Director Alberto Flores, Laredo Port of Entry. “This operation underscores our unwavering commitment to public safety and securing our borders against the threats of illegal drug trafficking.”

The seizure occurred on Friday, Jan. 24, at the World Trade Bridge, when a CBP officer referred a 2003 Volvo 760 hauling a commercial shipment of industrial machinery for secondary inspection. Following a canine and non-intrusive inspection system examination, CBP officers discovered a total of nearly 890 pounds of alleged methamphetamine within the commodity.

The narcotics had a combined street value of $8,181,799.

CBP seized the narcotics. Homeland Security Investigations special agents are investigating the seizure.

Texas Trucking Association partners to boost human trafficking awareness

The Texas Trucking Association (TXTA), with the help of Titus Transportation and Bob’s House of Hope, is launching a first-of-its-kind anti-human trafficking campaign in trucking focusing on the often-overlooked issue of boys and young men who fall victim to sex trafficking.

Bob's House of Hope Sticker for 'Boys are Sex Trafficked Too' Awareness CampaignBy placing these awareness-raising stickers on semi-trucks, the campaign leverages the mobility and visibility of the trucking industry to spread this crucial message far and wide.The campaign, “Boys and Young Men are Sex Trafficked Too,” was announced during a press conference on Jan. 29 at the Texas Capitol.

As part of the initiative, stickers will be made available for placement on the back of semi-trucks -- ensuring the message is being spread across the United States as trucks travel the country.

"Advertising a hotline phone number on Titus Transport trucks is something I am honored to do,” said Titus Transport CEO and State Senator Brent Hagenbuch. “Just the opportunity to save one trafficked life makes this collaboration worthwhile. I look forward to a long partnership in our effort to save lives.”

Launched during National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the initiative sheds light on the often-overlooked exploitation of boys and young men. The campaign seeks to raise public awareness, encourage action by inspiring trucking companies across Texas and the nation to adopt similar awareness campaigns, and support survivors by highlighting resources such as Bob's House of Hope, the first safe house in the country dedicated to male survivors of sex trafficking. 

The trucking industry's commitment to combating human trafficking goes beyond transportation -- it's about creating a network of awareness and support across the highway system. organizers said. The campaign leverages the unique visibility of trucking professionals to shine a light on a critical issue and drive meaningful social change. Building on Texas' leadership in combating human trafficking, the effort complements the state's existing initiatives, including billboard campaigns across 70 cities. 

“This campaign represents a monumental step forward in addressing the hidden crisis of boys and young men being victims of sex trafficking,” said John D. Esparza, TXTA President and CEO. “By leveraging the reach of the trucking industry, we’re sending a powerful message across Texas and beyond: no victim should be overlooked.”

[Related: Truckers' anti-trafficking efforts as eyes, ears making a difference, leading to major arrests]

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