LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Alabama truck driver Douglas Crawford was instrumental in saving the life of a fellow truck driver involved in a three-vehicle accident last summer.

As a result of his actions, Crawford, a driver for Saia Motor Freight Lines Inc., was named as the 23rd Goodyear North America Highway Hero last Thursday night at a ceremony at the Mid-America Trucking Show.

Georgia truck driver Herman Langford said Crawford deserved the award for helping him to cheat death. “I’ve helped others, but they were nothing like my accident. That man saved my life,” Langford said.

Traveling southbound on Interstate 85 in Coweta County, Ga., Crawford said he watched the accident unfold. What he didn’t see was a hit-and-run truck driver allegedly rear-end a Roadway truck, causing the driver to lose control and cross the grass median into the northbound lanes.

According to police reports, the Roadway 18-wheeler collided with Langford’s Sexton Farms Trucking tractor-trailer. Both tractors exploded into flames. Dodging out-of-control cars trying to avoid the accident, Crawford immediately parked on the highway shoulder and ran across the median.

The cab of the runaway truck had disintegrated in the fire. Knowing that no one could survive long in the flames, he ran to the Sexton Farms tractor- trailer, which was burning in the ditch. He sprayed his extinguisher on the blaze and found Langford conscious but unable to move.

The back wall of the sleeper unit was destroyed, so Crawford was able to walk into the tractor where he found Langford covered in diesel fuel. Realizing that time was running out, Crawford told Langford to wrap his arms around his neck.

Grabbing Langford’s shoulders, Crawford pulled him from the burning truck to a safe area in the ditch. Moments later, the tractor exploded. A nurse, who had stopped at the accident, administered first aid until paramedics arrived. Langford was airlifted to the hospital.

Crawford said he stays in contact with Langford, who is recovering from multiple injuries. The hit-and-run driver called police when he reached his destination and admitted his role in the accident. He was later arrested.

Crawford accepted the award, a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond and a specially designed Goodyear Highway Hero ring At the MATS event.

“Too often, we only hear criticism about trucks and drivers, but that’s not our view of the trucking industry. We know that most drivers are hardworking, safe and courteous. And in the cases of Doug Crawford and the three other Highway Hero finalists, these drivers stopped to help others without regard for their own lives,” said Peter Christoffersen, general manager of marketing for Goodyear commercial tire systems. “In our eyes, they’re all heroes.”

Founded by Goodyear in 1983, the Highway Hero program recognizes professional truck drivers and the often unnoticed, life-saving rescues and roadside assistance they provide as their jobs take them across North America.

Crawford was selected along with three other truck drivers as finalists for the 2005 award. Other finalists included:

Danny Wallen, of Conover, Ohio, driver for ABF Freight System Inc.; Robert A. Starr, of North Troy, Vt., driver for Starr’s Transportation; and Michael Knott, of Casselberry, Fla., driver for FedEx.

— via Truckinginfo.com