TravelCenters of America on Friday at the Mid-America Trucking Show announced its 2025 TA Citizen Driver honorees -- 2023 Overdrive Trucker of the Year Jay Hosty, Darryl Tolle, and Craig Daniels.
Hosty, out of Diamondhead, Mississippi, is an owner-operator leased to Landstar; Tolle, from Cynthiana, Kentucky, drives for Ryder System; and Daniels, based in Columbus, Georgia, drives for Crete Carrier.
Other finalists for the award were Carmen Anderson with America’s Service Line, Steven Brand with FedEx Freight, and Michael Middleton with Old Dominion Freight Line.
Michael Stuewe, Senior VP of Fleet Sales with TA, said the finalists “are the face of the trucking industry and earn respect for who you are -- safe drivers who excel at their profession while truly being kind, compassionate and giving people.”
Darryl Tolle (center), shown receiving the 2025 Citizen Driver award from TA's Michael Stuewe and Kathleen Roseman.
Owner-operator Jay Hosty chose the TA location in Slidell, Louisiana, to be dedicated in his name. Hosty has been behind the wheel as an owner-operator since he was 19 years old in 1981, receiving multiple awards from Landstar for his at-work and business performance, and served on the board of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association for 16 years.
Jay Hosty (left), ahead of the TA Citizen Driver awards presentation, joined 2024 Trucker of the Year Alan Kitzhaber (center) and longtime Overdrive contributor Gary Buchs for a roundtable talk at the Mid-America Trucking Show. The custom ATG sleeper on Hosty's 2022 Western Star was on display at the sleeper builder's booth at the show, too.
Hosty actively serves in his church and frequently visits nursing homes to support those without family, among other charitable work. He and his wife, Katt, have also fostered more than 100 children through the years, ultimately adopting six of them.
Trucker and fellow Citizen Driver honoree Craig Daniels selected the TA in Rawlins, Wyoming, as the location to be dedicated in his honor.
Craig Daniels (center) is shown receiving the 2025 Citizen Driver award from TA's Michael Stuewe and Kathleen Roseman.
“These 2025 TA Citizen Drivers can balance the demands of being a professional driver, while leading their communities,” Stuewe said. “They recognize the importance of mentoring the next generation of drivers. They are heavily involved in charity and community support. They lead by example. They are committed to safety. They always represent the industry in the best ways.”
