Commercial truck drivers may be crucial to the country’s supply chain, but some serve as champions of road safety, acting as the first responders in difficult situations.
Timothy VanNostrand, 64, owner/operator of his own lumber company in Northville, New York, was caught in the act while driving on Interstate 88 in June 2023.
“It happened so fast,” VanNostrand told Fox News Digital.
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“It’s instinct more than anything else.”
While driving on a New York freeway, Timothy VanNostrand encountered a shootout between a state trooper and a fugitive and put himself in danger, using his truck to stop the man’s escape and protect other drivers from injury. (Goodyear)
VanNostrand was passing a New York State trooper who made a traffic stop that turned into a shooting.
“I wasn’t 100% sure what I saw at first, but I saw the trooper jump to the side a little bit,” VanNostrand said.
“And then me saw the shooter actually pulled out a gun in his car and started shooting straight out his back window at a state trooper. A really fierce shooting started, bullets were flying.”
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He used his logging truck to stop the suspect from escaping during the 12-minute ordeal.
New York State Police honored VanNostrand for his heroic moment on the highway. (Goodyear)
“It’s a long time to stand there and listen to that,” VanNostrand said.
“You change your mind, but it turned out to be the right decision.”
When the backup arrived, soldier, who was wounded, was taken to hospital and survived.
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VanNostrand was later honored as a “Hero of the Highway” by the New York State Police and the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.
“The purpose of the Highway Hero program is to raise awareness of the powerful impact that commercial drivers can have on the roads, the lives of individuals and communities.”
Goodyear announced that it is accepting nominations for its 41st annual Highway Hero Award, which recognizes commercial truck drivers for goes on while at work.
“The Goodyear Highway Hero Award is one way Goodyear recognizes the importance of the commercial trucking industry, which helps move 72.5% of the goods in the U.S. economy, according to U.S. trucking associations,” said Joe Burke, vice president of Goodyear North America Commercial Business. Fox News Digital.
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“Behind the wheels of those trucks are 3.3 million professional truck drivers who are not only a vital part of the supply chain industry, but also go beyond their job duties to protect others on the road.
“The purpose of the Highway Hero program is to raise awareness of the powerful impact that commercial drivers can have on the roads, the lives of individuals and communities.”
The Goodyear Highway Hero Award is one way Goodyear recognizes the importance of the commercial trucking industry. (Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company)
Every year around the holiday season, Goodyear solicits nominations for drivers with commercial driver’s license (CDL) who went above and beyond the call of duty to help others on the road.
Everyone from long-haul truck drivers to tipper drivers, regional delivery and professional vehicle operators and more can be nominated.
Last year, VanNostrand and Elijah Ramos of Victorville, California were named Highway Heroes for their bravery on the road.
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Ramos, a driver for Ryder System, Inc., was on his morning route in a remote desert area when the SUV lost control, crossed multiple lanes of traffic and crashed into a field.
Elijah Ramos was also honored with the Goodyear Highway Hero Award after staying with an injured woman involved in a multi-lane crash. (Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company)
Ramos stopped, assessed the situation and called his dispatcher.
He stayed with the injured woman until help arrived.
“Because it was such a remote area, it could have taken a long time for help to arrive,” Ramos said in a statement provided Fox News Digital.
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– I was glad to be there when it happened and quickly call for help.
The Goodyear Highway Hero Award is one way Goodyear recognizes the importance of the commercial trucking industry by recognizing truck drivers who go the extra mile while on the job. (iStock)
After the incident, Ramos continued on his way, as usual.
Runners-up were Joshua Day, a driver for ABF Freight of Potsdam, Ohio, and Russel Peasley, a driver for Brakebush Transportation of Necedah, Wisconsin.
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Each year, the jury selects one winner and a maximum of two finalists, and Goodyear announces the winner of the award, rewarding the driver with cash prizes and a ride on the Goodyear limp.
Goodyear is seeking nominations for drivers with a commercial driver’s license who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help others on the road. (Adobe Stock Images)
Up to two runners-up will also receive a cash prize.
Eligible applicants for this year’s Highway Hero Award must be full-time commercial drivers with valid CDLs, live in the US or Canada, and be active commercial management, infrastructure, professional vehicle or non-rescue emergency vehicle with rim size greater than 19 inches.
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“Their contributions and heroic actions have inspired us to continue to improve our commercial tires and services, such as our Fleet HQ service network, to help truck drivers when they need help,” said Burke.
Two men were awarded the Goodyear Highway Hero Award after going above and beyond their jobs and caring for others. (Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company)
VanNostrand said all of his actions were a day’s work for someone in his industry.
“Most people I know and work with would do the same thing,” he said.
“We all look out for each other, and 99% of us look out for everyone else.”
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To learn more about the Highway Hero Award and how to nominate a driver, visit the Goodyear website.
