Prime Inc. driver named winner of 2015 Highway Angel of the Year award
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Josh Grimaldi of Prime Inc. was named the 2015 Highway Angel of the Year at the 78th annual Truckload Carriers Association convention in Las Vegas this week.
The award is saved for truck drivers who act heroically on the roadways, go above and beyond their job duties and led a helping hand to those in need. The Highway Angel program aims to improve the trucking industry image to the general public by collecting and presenting positive stories of truck drivers who help others on the road.
This year, Lance Pratt, CEO of Epicvue, presented the award. Epicvue is a partner of the award.
“It’s been Epicvue’s honour to partner with TCA to recognize drivers’ selfless acts of kindness in the Highway Angel program,” he said.
Grimaldi, was named the Highway Angel of the Year because of his heroic actions on a cold and snowy December night. He was driving westbound on Interstate 80 heading to California when he noticed a car in his side mirror had hit a patch of ice and fishtailed. The car spun out of control and blew Grimaldi’s trailer tire, eventually rolling over on its side in the shoulder.
Grimaldi immediately stopped his truck and ran over to the crushed car to assist the driver. He said he believed the driver wasn’t alive. He attempted to open the car door when the driver cried out to him saying she was pregnant. Finally, Grimaldi forced the door open and lifted the woman to safety.
By this time another car had pulled over to help, as the driver in that car was a nurse on her way home from work. Grimaldi called 911 and spoke to paramedics directly about the incident.
“I have to thank Prime for giving me the chance to drive and showing me what safety really is all about,” he said upon receiving the award. “I also want to give a special thank you to the Highway Angels that have been nominated and whose stories have been told and for whose stories haven’t been told…I appreciate everyone in this audience who are keeping the trucks rolling. Thank you.”
Grimaldi, of Springfield, Missouri, has only been driving for one year. Before becoming a driver he served in the US Marine Corps for five years.
Winners of the Highway Angel award receive a certificate, lapel pin, patch and truck decal.
Have your say
This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.