LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Pre-owned truck seller Arrow Truck Sales has selected Donald Turkelson of Battle Creek, Mich., as the winner of the company’s Back On The Road 2008 Contest.

The announcement was made at the 2008 Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky.

The contest is designed to help a deserving independent owner-operator in need of a truck and a job.

Turkelson was in a company drop lot when he was shot, taking him off the road for five years. A gunman attempted to hijack his truck at 1:30 a.m. When Turkelson refused to cooperate, he was shot in the left leg as he tried to escape. After driving to the security gate, severely injured, Turkelson was taken to the hospital where he underwent surgery.

Since completing extensive physical therapy, Turkelson, a retired lieutenant colonel in the Army, has served for more than five years as a pastor for the United Methodist Church and also as a truck-driving instructor at Lansing Community College. But despite the great experiences at his post-trucking jobs, they have not given him the satisfaction of working in his chosen career, he says.

“For many years I’ve been unable to drive full-time and I’m looking forward to once again doing what I love — working full-time as a driver who is helping the American economy by delivering goods and services,” said Turkelson.

As winner of Back on the Road 2008, Turkelson will receive: A 2005 VNL 670 tractor donated by Volvo Trucks North America; a one-year work agreement with Heartland Express; a 3-year, 300K mile warranty from National Truck Protection (NTP); Insurance provided by the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA); and tires courtesy of Michelin, among other prizes.

“Donald has an amazing story to tell and a great spirit,” said Carl Heikel, president and CEO of Arrow. “Arrow is proud to give him the opportunity to get back on the road with a quality truck from Volvo and a job from Heartland Express.”