Truck driver Michael Hunt came upon a situation no one wants to face in their lifetime. Driving his tractor-trailer along Route 24 near Spring Lake, NC, Hunt drove up to the scene of a deadly early-morning car crash. How Hunt responded to the tragedy led to him being honored with a Truckload Carriers Assn. (TCA) Highway Angel award .
Once Hunt had driven up to the crash scene, he noticed both vehicles were within feet of each other. After failing in his attempt to extinguish a fire on one vehicle, Hunt switched his focus to saving the life of the driver of the other vehicle. Using his truck, he pushed the vehicle away from the burning car.
“When Mr. Hunt did this, it damaged his own vehicle,” said Trooper J.E. Stahl of the North Carolina Highway Patrol. “Mr. Hunt’s quick actions helped to save a life from serious injury or death from burns.”
Hunt will be saluted for his actions during halftime at the Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl at Boise State University on Dec. 30th. The Humanitarian Bowl, featuring the University of Idaho against the Bowling Green State University, will be broadcast on ESPN.
“I’m glad I could help one of the drivers, but when I think about the other person who died—that’s tough for me,” Hunt said.
At the time of the accident, Hunt was a driver for Mail Contractors of America, based out of Little Rock, AR. He is now an owner-operator. TCA chairman Kevin Burch and president Chris Burruss will join representatives from Roady’s Truck Stops, the Humanitarian Bowl and Internet Truck Stop in honoring Hunt.
“We receive hundreds of ‘Angel’ nominations each year, and the drivers are almost always shocked to hear that they are being recognized for their good deeds,” Burruss said. “For them, the highway is their workplace, and helping others is simply the right thing to do. It’s not about monetary gain or publicity.”
“Roady’s is pleased to once again offer our bowl as the vehicle to convey this driver’s story to the millions of people who will be watching the game from home as well as at the field,” said Kelly Rhinehart, co-founder and owner of Roady’s Truck Stops of New Plymouth, ID. “The general public should know that truck drivers routinely stop to help others in need and that they are unsung heroes of the highways.”
