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life; and we saved not just him, but we saved his whole family.”
The Zimmermans later found that the police report said the man
had fallen asleep at the wheel after working a late shift. He was
headed to see his daughter for her birthday.
“So, we saved not just him; we saved his entire family that day
because it really could have changed the course of their family,”
added Tracy. “That was just an amazing moment in time.”
Shortly thereafter, the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) heard
of the couple’s heroic deed and recognized them as Highway
Angels, which is not something the couple expected. They wore the
designation as a badge of honor and proudly displayed the sticker on
their truck.
The Highway Angel program, now in its 23rd year, recognizes
professional truck drivers who have selflessly helped others while on
the job. From each year’s Angels, one is selected as Highway Angel of
the Year, also known as EpicAngels, by TCA and its partner EpicVue.
For 2019, 38 Angels were recognized, and the Zimmermans were
selected as the Highway Angels of the Year. They were recognized and
presented with the award at TCA’s Annual Convention — Truckload
2020: Orlando — earlier this year.
“Thank you both for your selfless act of courage on that May
morning,” said EpicVue CEO Lance Platt after presenting the
Zimmermans with a crystal award.
Before heading to Florida for the convention, the couple heard
the news from Hirschbach’s marketing director during a company
bowling trip. The couple was “floored,” and Tracy said Ed was
speechless, adding that this is something that doesn’t happen often.
As amazing as the award was to the Zimmermans, they two are
quick to say that they simply did what they felt was the right thing to
do in that moment.
“We stopped to help a human who needed help,” said Ed. “That’s all
we did, and that’s why we did it.”
Ed and Tracy Zimmerman were presented with the Highway Angels of the Year
award at the Truckload Carriers Association’s Truckload 2020: Orlando.
Ed added that he hopes that this award and sharing their story with
others will help the image of truck drivers across the nation.
“All everybody ever hears are the bad things that happen out
here,” shared Ed. “We really want to push the good stories because, in
your darkest hour out here on the road, if, heaven forbid, something
happens, a truck driver is going to be the first person on the scene.
They’re going to be the first ones there to help you out.”
The remainder of that May day turned out to be just like any other
day for the Zimmermans as they carried on delivering their load
to Hodgkins, Illinois. Tracy noted, though, that everything could
have been different that day if the couple had made one extra stop
beforehand, delaying their schedule.
“You know, God puts you where he needs you most, and that day he
needed us right there at that moment,” said Tracy. “I really believe that.”
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TCA 2020 www.Truckload.org | TRUCKLOAD AUTHORITY 35