26 • OCTOBER 2023 FEATURES THETRUCKER.COM at the TRUCK STOP PRESENTED BY CAT SCALE. VISIT WEIGHMYTRUCK.COM Bryan’s Hope DRIVERS’ PASSION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS SHAPES THEIR LIVES, CAREERS KRIS RUTHERFORD | SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT With the variety of vehicle wraps and detailed paint schemes available today, it’s not unusual to see rigs promoting various causes as they roll along the highway. From autism to cancer prevention to honoring military heroes, these trucks create a natural conversation point between the drivers and people they meet at truck stops and rest areas. Bryan Zube and Christey Crawford, owners of B3 Trucking in Millersville, Michigan, have chosen a cause that can be difficult to talk about. That cause is suicide prevention awareness. The issue is very near to the heart for Zube, who lost a son, also named Bryan, to suicide in 2014. Megan Hicks/The Trucker Christie Crawford pauses for a photo op with her fourlegged traveling companion, Gemini. At its core, the truck, a 2017 Peterbilt 579 known as Bryan’s Hope, is a tribute to Zube’s son. Zube describes the younger Bryan as having a kind-hearted nature and a passion for helping others. Teal and purple, the colors of suicide awareness, adorn the truck’s exterior, creating a striking visual that sparks conversations about an important, often uncomfortable topic. Beyond its appearance, the truck serves as a symbol of hope on the road. Zube and Crawford have opened their doors to those in need, offering a listening ear and a source of support. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s number is prominently displayed on the truck — a reminder that help is always within reach. “If someone out there on the road is struggling, I want my truck to let them know that I’m willing to waste as much time as needed to help them,” Zube said. “Anything to keep another family from what I endure. That’s why I do this.” Zube and Crawford, his business partner and fiance, generally drive separately, but they do occasionally make team runs. When driving solo, Crawford is behind the wheel of a 2018 Kenworth P680. Even though they drive brands often viewed as competitors, Crawford says this is not a house divided. “We both have the Cadillac models of each truck, so there’s no rivalry,” she said with a laugh. She says she hasn’t picked a theme for her truck yet, but she plans to promote mental health awareness. “Mental health is directly linked to suicide, so I think I’ll approach the issue from that perspective,” she said. While Zube has been driving trucks for nearly 20 years, Crawford has spent a much a shorter time behind the wheel. She says she’s always been interested in trucks, and when the couple started dating back in 2014, Zube Linda Garner-Bunch/The Trucker Bryan Zube and Christie Crawford, shown here with Zube’s canine traveling companion Diesel, are partners both in life and in business. The two own and operate B3 Trucking out of Millersville, Michigan. began to teach her to drive — and she was quickly hooked. Crawford enrolled in a driving course at a local community college that same year and has been driving since earning her CDL in 2015. She bought into B3 Trucking in 2016, and she and Zube now work as owneroperators. As veterans of the road, both Zube and Crawford have a few tips for new drivers. Crawford’s is short and to the point. “Stay off the cellphone and pay attention to what you’re supposed to be doing,” she said. Zube’s advice is a little bit broader, something you’d expect from a man with nearly two decades of experience driving. “New drivers should never be afraid to ask for advice,” he said. “Most older drivers are happy to share their knowledge.” In fact, Zube says, he’d like to see a return to the older days, when truck driving was a brotherhood. “I wish we could get back to talking to each other and helping each other out,” he said. “The old school was one of relationships. It made for a better environment. And drivers were more healthy — especially mentally.” In terms of the challenges most often faced by truck drivers, particularly owneroperators and fleet owners, Crawford again is to the point. “Brokers,” she said. “You have to find a good broker who’ll keep your interests in mind.” Zube chose another challenge that is shared by the entire trucking industry. In fact, it is often the top issue drivers face on a daily basis: parking. “We don’t have a whole lot of problems with parking, because most of our deliveries are directly to retail stores,” he said. “We can park in most any of our clients’ parking lots until the store opens.” Many drivers, however, are not that SEE HOPE ON PAGE 28
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