As finalists for Goodyear’s 25th annual North America Highway Hero Award, two professional truck drivers dove into chilly, murky waters to pull victims to safety in separate incidents; a Canadian driver made a lightning-quick decision and paid the ultimate price to save others; and a New Mexico driver rescued a pregnant woman from a brutal attack after she was run over by her boyfriend’s truck.
Rick Tower, of Yreka, Calif.; Richard Filiczkowski, of Bountiful, Utah; the late David Virgoe, of Innisfil, Ontario; and Ronnie Greene, of Regina, N.M., were named finalists Monday, Feb. 11, for trucking’s most prestigious award for heroism.
“Each year, we are amazed by truck drivers from the United States and Canada who put their lives on the line to help others,” says Steve McClellan, vice president for commercial tire systems for the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., based in Akron, Ohio. “On this 25th anniversary of the Goodyear Highway Hero program, we truly are in awe of these brave men and women who travel our highways.”
For 2007, the finalists are:
Fighting a strong current, he struggled to open the car door and pull the woman out as the water rushed into her car. She went under a few times, but Tower was able to carry her as he swam. He was tiring quickly, but fortunately, the man who had stopped earlier was on shore and ready to help with a rope. Both men made the woman comfortable as they waited for help to arrive. Fortunately, the woman only suffered a broken ankle and slight hypothermia. Tower said he was thankful everyone survived.