Trucking news and briefs for Monday, Nov. 9, 2026:
- Theft charges for truck driver over alleged payment dispute.
- Register now for the 2027 Make-A-Wish Mother’s Day Convoy.
- “I believe God was in this all the way. I believe He set me up to be there.” --Highway Angel Loretta Holland
Driver arrested for holding load hostage over payment dispute
El Paso County (Texas) Sheriff Oscar Ugarte announced the arrest of a truck driver who allegedly refused to return a container chassis, shipping container and some 43,000 pounds of fiber-optic cable due to a payment dispute.
According to a Facebook post from Ugarte, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call involving the alleged theft. The investigation found that the driver had been contracted to transport the shipment from Santa Teresa, New Mexico, but the shipment had been canceled.
After the cancelation, the driver, identified as 38-year-old Laron Lenard Watts, reportedly "refused to return the property due to a dispute over his final payment." The combined value of the property was estimated at $155,000.
Detectives located the truck, container chassis and container, and obtained a search warrant to recover the container and chassis, along with the fiber-optic cable. The truck was also seized as part of the investigation.
Watts was arrested and charged with Theft of Property greater than $150K and less than $300K. His bond was set at $10,000.
[Related: Broker 'fines' shaving the bottom line? How truckers can fight and win]
Mother’s Day Convoy has new home for 2027
The long-running Make-A-Wish Mother’s Day Truck Convoy in Pennsylvania’s Lancaster County has a new home for 2027.
The 38th annual Mother’s Day Truck Convoy -- hosted by Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware and Susquehanna Valley -- will take place on Saturday, May 8, at Hess Auctioneers in Marietta, Pennsylvania.
The beloved Lancaster County tradition brings together professional truck drivers, families, friends and community members for a day of family fun, fundraising and making wishes possible for children with critical illnesses.
Since the Convoy began, more than $10 million has been raised to help make more than 1,000 wishes possible.
What to know for 2027:
- Hess Auctioneers at 1451 River Road, Marietta, PA
- Family Fest: 9 a.m.
- Convoy departs: 1:30 p.m.
- Route: 18 miles through Lancaster County
- Convoy limit: 150 tractor-trailers
Driver registration for the event is currently open. All drivers must pre-register. There will be no on-site registration on event day.
[Related: Remembering the inaugural Pennsylvania Make-a-Wish Mother's Day convoy]
Trucker’s comforting actions recognized with Highway Angel recognition
The Truckload Carriers Association has named Freymiller truck driver Loretta Holland a Highway Angel for her compassionate actions after witnessing a devastating crash outside a truck stop in Mississippi.
Loretta Holland
Holland immediately went to the scene to help. After checking on the crash victims, she focused on the trapped driver, who was conscious but unable to move her arms or legs. Standing near the passenger door, Holland spoke to the woman, urging her to remain still while emergency responders made their way to the scene.
“I told her, ‘Stay calm and do not move. There’s emergency people on the way,’” Holland recalled.
Holland continued talking to the injured woman, asking questions and offering reassurance to keep her focused while she waited for help.
“I just kept trying to talk to her,” Holland said, describing how she encouraged the woman to remain still and let her know someone was there with her.
Mississippi State Trooper Rick Grey later updated Holland on the victims’ conditions. The female driver survived but lost an arm and a leg. The male passenger suffered neck injuries and was also recovering.
“I believe God was in this all the way,” Holland said. “I believe He set me up to be there.”
