HYDRO, Okla. — Landstar Ranger driver Irene Howard was heading west when she noticed an out-of-control pickup, coming right at her. She hauls explosives.

Rather than swerve or hit the brakes, Howard sped up.

The fishtailing four-wheeler narrowly missed Howard’s truck.

"My rule,” she said later, "is to get explosives at least 300 feet away from any accident, so I drove to a safe distance as fast as I could.

"I’ve always been a defensive driver. You just never know what you’re going to encounter out there."

The pickup truck went airborne, striking a cable barrier. It hit the pavement and broke into pieces.

Moments later, it burst into flames. 

Quick thinking and reflexes helped this husband
and wife truck team avoid an explosive situation.

Howard stopped and called emergency personnel.

Meanwhile, her co-driver and husband Dennis ran back to work with other motorists to rescue a man and woman trapped in the burning truck.

Turns out the pickup driver had fallen asleep at the wheel.

"This accident was bad,” said Chris Burruss, the president of the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), "but I can only imagine how much worse it would have been if those explosives had caught fire."

"We applaud Irene’s ability to maneuver her vehicle and Dennis’ heroism in assisting the injured motorists. Without them, that accident could easily have turned fatal."

This week, the TCA showed its admiration and appreciation for the Howards’ heroism and good driving by naming them TCA Highway Angels.

Also, because of their quick thinking Landstar awarded the pair with their Platinum Star of Quality Award.

As Highway Angels, the two will receive Highway Angel lapel pins, certificates, and patches.

Landstar Ranger also gets a certificate acknowledging that two of its drivers are Highway Angels.