The Truckload Carriers Association has named Nancie Spranger, a professional truck driver for John Veriha Trucking Inc. of Marinette, Wis., as its latest Highway Angel for helping to stop a potential suicide. On Oct. 3 at about 7:30 p.m., Spranger had just picked up a load and was driving southbound on Highway 41 between Little Chute and Appleton, Wis., when she saw many drivers applying their brakes.
A shirtless man was weaving in and out of the path of vehicles on the highway. When the man darted in front of Spranger’s truck, she pulled over and called the police. There were two other passengers in the man’s car; one of them told Spranger that the man had been drinking and had just had a fight with his wife. Apparently, he had decided to commit suicide by running in front of vehicles.
Fortunately, the braking cars slowed traffic down, decreasing the man’s chances of being seriously injured or even killed. The police finally arrived and took the man into custody. “You see it all,” says the 21-year veteran driver, referring to the many unique experiences she has had over the years. “You know something is wrong when everyone is braking.”
The Highway Angels program promotes and recognizes truck drivers who perform good deeds while on North America’s highways. For taking the time to help, Spranger received a Highway Angel lapel pin, certificate and patch.
