The Truckload Carriers Association recently named Michael Alpine, a professional driver for ABF Freight, a TCA Highway Angel for his swift and selfless response following a serious crash on Interstate 5 in California.
Michael Alpine
“It was about 2:45 in the morning … just an uneventful morning,” Alpine said. “And then everything started kind of unfolding in slow motion.”
A small passenger vehicle abruptly moved in front of a tractor-trailer, causing the truck to swerve, overturn, and crash down an embankment. Debris from the truck, including lumber, quickly scattered across the roadway.
“I saw the brake lights of the truck come on and then immediately swerve … and then it started rolling over,” Alpine said. “It was dangerous.”
Without hesitation, Alpine pulled over, called 911 while the crash was still unfolding, and began taking action. Drawing on nearly four decades of experience and first aid training, Alpine quickly moved to secure the scene before assisting those involved.
“The first thing I needed to do was protect myself and then try to protect the scene,” he said. “I have little LED flares, so I immediately threw those out… because the lumber was across both ways of the road.”
After ensuring traffic was slowing, Alpine checked on the occupants of the vehicles. The driver of the passenger car was conscious but suffering from neck and back pain. Two individuals from the overturned truck had managed to climb back up the embankment with injuries, including visible head trauma.
“I kept asking them if they were okay … one of them had blood all over his forehead,” Alpine said. “But they were moving, and that was a relief.”
He remained on scene, relaying critical information to dispatch and helping stabilize those involved until emergency responders arrived roughly 20 minutes later.
“I reminded them help was coming and told them to stay put,” he said. “It’s always a good day when people can walk away from a crash. You can replace material things — you can’t replace people.”
Alpine’s actions exemplify the professionalism, compassion, and preparedness demonstrated by America’s professional truck drivers every day.
“I encourage everybody to get first aid and CPR training,” he added. “Sometimes we are the first responders out there.”
Since the TCA Highway Angel program’s inception in 1997, nearly 1,500 professional truck drivers have been recognized as Highway Angels for exemplary kindness, courtesy, and courage displayed while on the job. Thanks to the program’s presenting sponsor, EpicVue, and supporting sponsors, DriverFacts and Northland Insurance, TCA is able to spotlight outstanding drivers like Alpine.
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