The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announced the winners of the Goodyear Highway Hero Award. Winners highlight the important role truckers play in keeping our highways safe by going above and beyond to help those in need. Since 1983 Goodyear has been recognizing commercial drivers who go above and beyond their regular duties to keep our highways safe.
Across countless bustling highways and endless miles of open road, dedicated commercial truck drivers are propelling progress, playing a critical role in delivering the goods that fuel our daily lives and keep our economy thriving. But beyond their routine duties, at any given moment, drivers can encounter unforeseen events and emergencies on the road, prompting them to display incredible acts of heroism marked by selflessness, bravery, and compassion.
Since 1983, Goodyear’s Highway Hero Award Program has recognized commercial truck drivers who go above and beyond their regular job requirements to keep our highways safe. This distinguished award celebrates everyday heroes, the drivers who keep commerce moving, in addition to highlighting the growth and importance of the commercial trucking industry.
This year, to commemorate the esteemed award program’s 40th anniversary and Goodyear’s 125th anniversary, the company selected not one, but two winners from an expanded pool of commercial drivers. Following a rigorous evaluation of dozens of entries, two deserving grand-prize winners were publicly announced at the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition event in New Orleans in March.
Let’s meet the winners whose incredible stories of heroism serve as an inspiring reminder that when emergencies arise, there can be extraordinary heroes among us who selflessly jump into action to help others.
Crisis Control: Quick Thinking Contains a Serious Threat
In June 2023, Timothy VanNostrand, owner and operator of his own logging transport company from Northville, New York, emerged as a hero through his swift actions and decisive thinking. What began as an ordinary Friday route for the lifelong trucker quickly escalated into a pulse-pounding, life-threatening situation when a New York State Trooper traffic stop escalated into a dramatic shootout.
Driving down the highway, VanNostrand observed a suspect’s vehicle and a state trooper’s cruiser zooming past his truck. Moments later, he came upon a chaotic scene where both vehicles had come to a stop on the side of the road. Suddenly, the suspect opened gunfire on the state trooper, striking him in the shoulder. In a blink of an eye, VanNostrand made a quick decision, springing into action to pin the suspect’s vehicle against a guardrail with his truck.
This quick action not only prevented the suspect’s escape but also safeguarded others on the road. Additionally, VanNostrand quickly dispatched a call to alert fellow truckers, prompting them to block traffic in both directions and ensure the safety of motorists navigating the impacted area.
For 12 intense minutes, a hail of gunfire was exchanged between the trooper and the assailant. Eventually, the suspect fled into nearby woods where the pursuit by law enforcement concluded.
Reflecting on the incident, the member of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) humbly stated, “I’m just grateful to have been in the right place at the right time to prevent the situation from being much, much worse, as my seemingly normal Friday route turned into something that you only see on television.”
In addition to receiving the Goodyear Highway Hero Award, VanNostrand was also recognized by the New York State Police Department for his heroic act.
“I have a deep appreciation of the New York State police and the work they do every day to keep our communities safe,” VanNostrand remarked. “In my eyes, the state trooper on duty that day is the real hero, and I’m glad I was there to do what I could to help.”
The state trooper has since recovered from his injury and is back on the job.
A Helping Hand: Rapid Response Leads to a Successful Rescue
In September 2023, Elijah Ramos, a driver for Ryder System, Inc., was on his morning route in Victorville, California. As he drove through a remote desert area, he witnessed an SUV lose control, cross multiple lanes of traffic and a median, ultimately crashing into a field.
Immediately, Ramos pulled over to assess the situation and called his dispatcher to request help. He quickly approached the vehicle where he found an injured young female driver in need of assistance. Ramos and another truck driver helped her locate her cell phone and move away from the accident site, staying with her until medical assistance and authorities arrived.
“Since it was such a remote area, it could have been a long time until help arrived,” said Ramos. “I was glad to be there when it happened and to call for help quickly.”
Throughout the incident, Ramos displayed incredible compassion and care for the driver in need.
“When an emergency situation like this takes place, I can’t help but think of my own family,” stated the 13-year veteran driver. “I would hope that someone would step up for them if the tables were turned.”
Remarkably, Ramos returned to work after the incident and finished his route.
Noble Actions Lead to Noteworthy Rewards
The two Goodyear Highway Hero Award recipients were announced during the week-long TMC meeting in New Orleans, in addition to receiving a travel and hotel package to enjoy the city with an adult guest. The winners also received a cash award, multiple big-ticket prizes and two customized crystal trophies — one to display at home and one for their place of work.
“We are so proud to honor these deserving drivers for their bravery and the incredible dedication they have to their jobs — and to keeping others safe on the road,” said Joe Hildebrandt, director, Commercial Fleet Sales, Goodyear North America. “Beyond the physical gifts, the winners’ acts of bravery will have lasting positive impacts on the lives of so many and will provide inspiration for many years to come.”
More Heroic Stories to Tell
In addition to the heroic stories of grand-prize winners, VanNostrand and Ramos, Goodyear received an abundance of entries recounting other incredible stories of courage on the road this year. Two additional award finalists were recognized as runners-up.
Joshua Day, an ABF Freight driver from Potsdam, Ohio, sprang into action when a motorist’s truck and camper spun out of control, flipped and landed on the side of a busy road. Day swiftly pulled over and assisted the injured driver by moving them away from a hazardous propane leak and staying with them until first responders arrived.
Russel Peasley, a Brakebush Transportation driver from Necedah, Wisconsin, witnessed a car veer off a busy interstate, flip and land in a field. He sprang into action, joining other drivers to lift the car and rescue the trapped driver. After freeing her, Peasley stayed by her side, providing comfort until emergency medical services arrived.
A Lasting Legacy
Looking ahead, Goodyear’s Highway Hero Award will continue to shine a light on the amazing and heroic acts of drivers, serving as a bold reminder that everyday heroes are all around us.
“Goodyear is honored to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its amazing Highway Hero Award program, and we look forward to continuing to recognize outstanding drivers and highlighting the importance of the commercial trucking industry,” stated Hildebrandt. “We are thrilled to welcome our 2024 winners – VanNostrand, Ramos, Day, and Peasley – into the exclusive group of professional drivers who act selflessly for the good of others.”
To learn more about the Highway Hero Award, view exclusive content and read about former winners, visit www.goodyeartrucktires.com/newsroom/highway-heroes/.
