Winners highlight the important role truckers play in keeping
our highways safe by going above and beyond to help those in
need
AKRON,
Ohio, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Goodyear
Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT) today announced two winners
in the 40th anniversary Goodyear Highway Hero program.
Since 1983, Goodyear has recognized commercial drivers who go above
and beyond their regular duties to keep our highways safe by acting
courageously for the good of others on roadways across the U.S. and
Canada.
"In 2023, we asked for nominations of commercial drivers who
went above and beyond to help others on the road," said
Rich Cottrell, senior director,
Commercial Marketing. "The stories submitted this year reinforced
the important job that commercial drivers play in our everyday
lives and illustrate in heroic ways the powerful impact
professional drivers can have on the roads, individual lives and
communities when they help others."
The grand prize winners and runners-up in this year's program
faced different challenges in the course of their duty but, in a
similar fashion, jumped in to help, regardless of danger or
situation.
In June 2023, Timothy VanNostrand, an owner/operator
of his own logging transport company from Northville, New York, turned hero. During
a New York State Trooper traffic
stop that escalated into a shootout, VanNostrand sprang into
action. He used his logging truck to block the suspect's escape,
preventing a potentially disastrous situation. In those intense 12
minutes, gunfire exchanged between the trooper and the assailant.
The suspect fled into nearby woods, pursued by police. Thanks to
VanNostrand's swift response, the impact was contained, sparing
motorists and pedestrians. Reflecting on the incident, the member
of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA)
humbly stated, "I'm just grateful to have been in the right place
at the right time and place to prevent the situation from being
much, much worse, as my seemingly normal Friday route turned
something that you only see on television."
In September 2023, Elijah
Ramos, a driver for Ryder System, Inc., was on his
morning route in Victorville,
California. As he drove through a remote desert area, he
witnessed an SUV lose control, cross multiple lanes of traffic and
crash into a field. Ramos sprang into action, assessing the
situation and promptly alerting his dispatcher. He stayed with the
injured young woman until help arrived, ensuring a swift response
in the isolated location. "Since it was such a remote area, it
could have been a long time until help arrived," said Ramos. "I was
glad to be there when it happened and to call for help quickly."
Afterward, he went back to work and resumed his route.
After a nationwide call for entries, finalists were identified
and reviewed by a panel of independent industry judges to help
select VanNostrand and Ramos as the grand prize winners. They will
receive prizes from Goodyear in recognition of their heroic
actions. After review, two additional finalists will be recognized
as runners-up and receive their own Goodyear prizes. The runners-up
are:
Joshua Day, an ABF Freight
driver from Potsdam, Ohio,
sprang into action when a motorist's truck and camper spun out of
control, flipped and landed on the side of a busy road. Day swiftly
pulled over, assisted the injured driver and ensured their safety
by moving them away from a hazardous propane leak until first
responders arrived.
Russel Peasley,
a Brakebush Transportation
driver from Necedah,
Wisconsin, witnessed a car veer off a busy interstate,
flip and land in a field. He sprang into action, joining other
drivers to lift the car and rescue the trapped driver. After
freeing her, Peasley stayed by her side, providing comfort until
emergency medical services arrived.
The Goodyear Highway Hero Award is one way Goodyear helps
recognize the importance of the commercial trucking industry. As
prize recipients, VanNostrand, Ramos, Day and Peasley join the
exclusive group of past honorees celebrating professional drivers
who act selflessly for the good of others on the highways
throughout the U.S. and Canada. To
learn more about the Highway Hero Award, view exclusive content and
read up about former winners, visit
www.goodyeartrucktires.com/newsroom/highway-heroes/.
About The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It
employs about 71,000 people and manufactures its products in 55
facilities in 22 countries around the world. Its two Innovation
Centers in Akron, Ohio, and
Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg, strive to
develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the
technology and performance standard for the industry. For more
information about Goodyear and its products, go to
www.goodyear.com/corporate.
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SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company