Driver Rescues Trapped Man

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) is pleased to name Jose Nuñez of Homosassa, Florida as its latest Highway Angel. Nuñez, a former firefighter who has been a professional truck driver for 26 years, works for Taylor Truck Line of Northfield, Minnesota. On July 5, 2014, Nuñez was traveling on I-10 westbound near the Okaloosa-Santa Rosa county line in Florida, on his way to make a delivery, when he saw a van roll over 3-4 times and come to a stop upside-down. Pulling over to help, he saw that one of the men – the passenger – was lying on the edge of the van with his face buried in the dirt. Nuñez sensed that his neck was broken and that he was probably dead. Focusing his attention on the driver, who was alive but trapped and screaming for help, Nuñez could not open the jammed door, so he got a crowbar from his truck and used it to break one of the windows. He crawled inside and saw that the man was bleeding badly and his left leg appeared to be broken. Nuñez cut the driver’s seatbelt, and the man dropped into his arms. Nuñez stayed until first responders arrived and provided a statement before continuing on to make his delivery. He would later learn that the passenger had indeed died, and the driver, who may have been intoxicated, was airlifted to a hospital and was expected to recover. Nuñez, a former captain in a volunteer fire department for over 10 years, says that this is not the first time he has been involved in extracting someone from a dangerous scene. “I’m always aware of my surroundings and everything that’s happening out there on the road,” he said. “It’s instinct, I guess.” For his good deed, TCA has presented Nuñez with a certificate, patch, lapel pin, and truck decal. Taylor Truck Line also received a certificate acknowledging that one of its drivers is a Highway Angel. To nominate a driver or learn more about the program and its honorees, visit www.truckload.org/Highway-Angel or contact the TCA at (703) 838-1950.