The industry this week is highlighting truck driver heroes and other efforts to support various communities. Read more about these heroic actions in this week’s Five Good Things.
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Goodyear unveils winner of 41st Highway Hero Award
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company recently announced the winner of the 41st Goodyear Highway Hero Award: J.B. Hunt Transport truck driver Adam Medley of Omro, Wisconsin.
Medley, a J.B. Hunt driver since 2019, was driving in Green Lake, Wisconsin, on July 28, 2024. Medley spotted something ahead and began to steer around it. As he drew closer, he was surprised to see a person lying in the road. Quickly pulling over to a safe spot, Medley hurried back to help the individual off the road and called the police, who arrived shortly thereafter to assist.
“In a moment where every second counted, Adam put the safety and well-being of others first,” Nick Hobbs, COO at J.B. Hunt, said. “His actions exemplified integrity and selflessness, and we are excited that Goodyear has recognized him with this year's Highway Hero Award.”
Medley will be honored with a cash prize and a ride on the Goodyear blimp, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.
The Highway Hero program was established in 1983 to recognize commercial drivers who go above and beyond their regular duties and act for the good of others on roadways across the U.S. and Canada. Each year, Goodyear conducts a nationwide call for entries, asking the trucking community to nominate a driver who demonstrated an extraordinary act of courage on the road. A panel of independent industry judges decides the winner.
Truck driver named TCA Highway Angel for rescue in Florida
The Truckload Carriers Association has named David Cyr of Glen St. Mary, Florida, a TCA Highway Angel for his actions that helped save a fellow truck driver following a rollover accident in Jacksonville. Cyr is a professional driver for ABF Freight out of Fort Smith, Arkansas.
On July 7, Cyr was driving down Phoenix Avenue in Jacksonville when he witnessed a tractor-trailer flip on a curve. Cyr and another driver stopped and rushed to the scene.
“We were running down the side of the trailer, and the wheels were still spinning—that’s how quickly we got there,” Cyr recalled. “It was like 15 seconds after the truck flipped.”
With the cab crushed and the driver trapped inside, Cyr quickly assessed the situation. He checked for any signs of leaking fluids or potential fire hazards before jumping down the embankment beside the guardrail to reach the cab. Inside, the driver—standing on the passenger-side window amid scattered debris—was clearly shaken.
Despite a language barrier, Cyr was able to help the driver out of the wreckage and bring him to safety before calling 911. The driver appeared unharmed but understandably rattled by the experience.
“You gotta help people out,” Cyr, a 30-year trucking veteran, said. “It’s the human thing to do.”
Fleet Advantage and its Kids Around the Corner Foundation distributed over 1,000 backpacks during back-to-school drive
Hundreds of students across Broward County, Florida, will walk into their first day of school equipped with brand-new backpacks and essential supplies, thanks to a community effort led by Fleet Advantage and its charitable arm, the Kids Around the Corner (KATC) Foundation.
As part of the Broward Education Foundation’s annual Back to School Supply Drive, which last year generated over $2 million in supplies for more than 130,000 students, Fleet Advantage distributed 1,068 backpacks filled with supplies to students in Title I elementary schools.
“Our Kids Around the Corner Foundation is committed to giving back to the communities where we live and work,” Elizabeth Gomez, director of marketing and community outreach for Fleet Advantage, said. “We are honored to support the incredible efforts of the Broward Education Foundation and excited to help these students begin the new school year with the tools they need to succeed.”
The Broward Education Foundation’s broader 2025 School Supply Drive runs from July 14 through August 29, with many ways for the public to get involved—from hosting virtual drives to sponsoring schools and providing essential classroom supplies. The most needed items include backpacks, composition books, folders, highlighters, index cards, hand sanitizer, pencils, markers, and child-safe scissors.
See also: Can you identify these historic trucks?
Hyundai and Healthy Seas advance partnership to support marine conservation
Hyundai Motor America recently announced the continuation of its partnership with Healthy Seas, a nonprofit organization focused on ocean conservation. Hyundai's involvement will support four major underwater cleanup operations scheduled through the summer and fall, beginning with the cleanup of the Tuna Clipper wreck near Catalina Island. These missions aim to remove marine litter, helping restore habitats for seals, lobsters, torpedo rays, and purple hydrocorals, while improving safety and biodiversity at popular diving and fishing sites. The collected nylon fishing nets and other nylon waste are processed into econyl, a regenerated nylon yarn used in new textile products.
"As we deepen our collaboration with Healthy Seas, Hyundai reaffirms its unwavering commitment to sustainability and ocean conservation," Randy Parker, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor North America, said. "By championing the preservation of marine ecosystems and supporting initiatives that promote a circular economy, we are advancing our vision of progress for humanity and taking meaningful action to ensure a healthier planet for future generations."
The renewed partnership commenced as Hyundai employees came together for a beach cleanup event at Huntington Beach State Park. Also, Hyundai and Healthy Seas hosted an educational workshop at the Boys & Girls Club of Huntington Valley, where over 30 students participated in the "If the Ocean Could Speak" origami envelopes activity.
Convoy of Hope strengthens Southeast disaster preparedness
Convoy of Hope is expanding its natural disaster relief efforts within the Southeast this hurricane season. The global, faith-based organization has launched a new 125,000-sq.-ft. regional distribution center near Atlanta, which will allow it to more quickly deliver supplies to those impacted by disasters in the Southeast. The closer proximity to the region is estimated to cut the response time to some locations in half.
The Regional Distribution Center East is already fully stocked and operational with emergency supplies, including shelf-stable food, water, paper goods, cleaning supplies, and hygiene items, and has a fleet of disaster response vehicles ready to deploy when needed. Because the Southeast region is particularly vulnerable to hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding, it is a critical location for launching Convoy's relief efforts. Last year, Convoy of Hope responded to 99 disasters, including Hurricanes Helene and Milton, that impacted communities throughout the Southeast.
"Opening this new regional distribution center is just one more way that we are seeing our mission advance," Ethan Forhetz, Convoy of Hope VP of public engagement, said. "Convoy of Hope brings help and hope to communities that need it most. Our new distribution center in Georgia is already helping us do that better than ever."
About the Author
Jenna Hume
Digital Editor
Digital Editor Jenna Hume joined FleetOwner in November of 2023 and previously worked as a writer in the gaming industry. She has a bachelor of fine arts degree in creative writing from Truman State University and a master of fine arts degree in writing from Lindenwood University. She is currently based in Missouri.