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Teamsters Local 745 Member, ABF Driver Recognized as ‘Highway Angel’
The Teamsters Union salutes an ABF road driver and Local 745 member for helping another motorist who was involved in a rollover accident.
Clayvon Daniels, an 18-year driver, was recently honored as a Truckload Carriers Association “Highway Angel” for stopping to help the driver in Texas last May.
“We are extremely proud of Brother Clayvon and his actions that day to help a motorist,” said Brent Taylor, Local 745 Secretary Treasurer. “His actions reflect the professionalism and courage that the Teamsters Union represents.”
According to the association, on the evening of May 31, Daniels was on Route 12 in Irving, Texas on his way to San Antonio when a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed approached on his driver’s side. “I looked in my mirror and saw him…weaving,” Daniels said.
Weather and road conditions were good that evening. “I slowed down and thought, ‘Man, this guy is gonna lose control.’ He came right in front of my truck and veered all the way to the right.” The driver’s car then hit the concrete median so hard it ricocheted, rolled over, and skidded back across the road. “If I wouldn’t have slowed down, he would have bounced off my truck,” Daniels said.
Acting swiftly, Daniels stopped in the middle of the highway to ensure other vehicles wouldn’t hit the overturned car. “It shut the whole highway down. About four or five of us stopped and we all rushed to get the guy out of the car. He was hollering and really bloody. It was something … could have been a whole lot worse.” Emergency vehicles arrived approximately 20 minutes later.
Daniels has been driving for 18 years. “I stop and help when I can. I told my wife I’ve never had an accident and thank God for that. I hope someone would help me,” Daniels said.
The association presented Daniels with a certificate, patch, lapel pin, and truck decals. His employer has also received a certificate acknowledging their driver as a Highway Angel.
Since the program’s inception in August 1997, nearly 1,300 professional truck drivers have been recognized as Highway Angels for the exemplary kindness, courtesy, and courage they have displayed while on the job.