AKRON, Ohio — Truck drivers from Casselberry, Fla.; Ashford, Ala.; Conover, Ohio; and North Troy, Vt., were named finalists today for
One of trucking’s most prestigious awards for heroism.

“Many truck drivers have become the eyes and ears of our highways, and they were busier than ever this year. With a devastating hurricane season and thousands of accidents, they responded heroically by delivering essential supplies to the Gulf Coast and risking their lives to save others,” said Steve McClellan, vice-president for commercial tire systems for The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. “There’s no doubt that citizens of the United States and Canada are better off because of their actions.”

The winner will be introduced March 23 at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky.

For 2005, the finalists are:

Michael Knott, of Casselberry, Fla., a driver for FedEx Ground, which is based in Pittsburgh. Knott, partially blocking traffic with his truck, saved an injured woman and her baby daughter from oncoming traffic as they lay on the Florida Turnpike. Knott said he came upon a disabled car that partially blocked the left and center lanes, and he saw a woman lying on the road.

Douglas Crawford, of Ashford, Ala., a driver for Saia Motor Freight. Crawford saved the life of another truck driver after seeing two trucks collide on Interstate 85 near Newnan, Ga., on Aug. 25, 2005. Crawford watched a northbound truck cross the grass median and into the southbound lanes where it collided with another truck. Both trucks exploded into flames. Crawford avoided an out-of-control car and parked his truck on the shoulder of the northbound lanes. He ran across the median and found the northbound truck’s wreckage in flames. The injured driver, covered in diesel fuel, could not move, so Crawford told the man to grab him around his neck and he pulled him from the burning cab by his shoulders.

Danny R. Wallen, of Conover, Ohio, a driver for ABF Freight Systems Inc., based in Fort Smith, Ark. Wallen was traveling south on Interstate 65 in Nashville, Tenn., on Sept. 9, 2005, when he saw a traffic accident in which a stalled car was struck by a sport-utility vehicle. Wallen stopped his truck and ran to the burning car with his fire extinguisher. He was joined by another truck driver and a pedestrian in the rescue attempt. Wallen and the passerby pulled and carried a male driver from the flames. The other truck driver assisted the woman passenger.

The woman was screaming that her “baby” remained in the car. Wallen and the other truck driver returned to the burning car to find her 17-year-old daughter trapped in the backseat and screaming for help. They desperately tried to free her, but to no avail. A Nashville police officer arrived and quickly moved the two men away from the car. Suddenly, the gas tank exploded, fueling the fire out of control.

Sen. Robert A. Starr, of North Troy, Vt., a driver and owner of Starr’s Transportation, based in North Troy. Starr was traveling east on Highway 40 near Trois Rivieres in Quebec when the road collapsed, opening a massive crevice that crossed the four-lane road.

Starr was following a small car when its brake lights came on. To his amazement, the road ahead was disappearing. The car hit the caving pavement and spun out of control. His truck’s steer tires “blew off the rims” and the sinking roadway ripped the fuel tanks and drive axles from the frame.

The state senator’s truck burst into flames and slid out of control on its frame rails. It stopped about 20 feet from the wrecked car. Starr jumped from his burning truck, ran to the car and saw a woman trapped inside. Diesel fuel and oil from his truck surrounded the car. He managed to pry the passenger door open, pulled the woman out and carried her to safety, just before the car caught fire.