LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 5, 2005) — A truck driver described as a “mountain of a man” was named the 22nd Goodyear North American Highway Hero last week in Louisville Ky.

The characterization was given to Diana, Tex. native Rick Dent — a 6-ft, 300-pound driver for Groendyke Transport Inc. — by the family he saved.

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.

Dent was honoured for saving the life of Bob Strickland and his small children, Megan and Paul, when Strickland’s car swerved to miss a deer and landed in a water-filled ditch.

The accident occurred July 14, 2004, in a 6-foot-deep ditch teeming with snakes, along U.S. Highway 84 near Jena, La.

Strickland said Dent swam to the car, and “pulled the door open about 3 inches, but it was stuck. Suddenly, my daughter screamed again, and he grabs the door and pulls it off the car like it is made of cardboard.”

Dent took Megan and Paul to land, and returned for Strickland, whose foot was lodged under the dash. Dent dove and freed Strickland’s foot; then he carried him to safety.

“This man saved our lives. The car sank before he got me to the bank. I have a new respect for truck drivers,” Strickland said.

Dent accepted the award, a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond and a gigantic specially designed size 17 Goodyear Highway Hero ring for his nearly 3-1/2 inch diameter finger.

“Bob Strickland described Rick Dent as a huge man, in a big red truck. He saw Rick Dent as larger than life — someone with a big heart. Other motorists may have continued on their way, but Rick Dent stopped to help someone in need. Because of that decision, three lives were saved, and Rick has earned the right to be called a hero,” said Donn Kramer, director of marketing for Goodyear commercial tire systems.

Dent was selected along with three other truck drivers as finalists for the 2004 award. Other finalists included:

Jose Ogas Jr., of Fayetteville, N.C., driver for TMC Transportation — While traveling on Interstate 70 in Pennsylvania, Ogas saved a man and his daughter from their burning car on Dec. 31, 2003. Ogas applied his Army training as a member of a combat lifesaving team when he administered first aid until paramedics arrived.

Pat Foraker, of Quaker City, Ohio, driver for Transport Corporation of America — Foraker and his wife Brenda saved the lives of two women in a two- car crash on April 15, 2004.

David Tucker, of La Grande, Ore., driver for Seneca Foods Corp. — Tucker saved the life of a female California Highway Patrol officer, who was brutally attacked during a traffic stop on Dec. 2, 2003.