January 11, 2010 2:00 AM, EST

Driver Earns TCA Highway Angel Trophy for Saving Victim’s Life in Fiery Crash

By Transport Topics Staff

This story appears in the Jan. 11 print edition of Transport Topics.

Truck driver Michael Hunt received the 2009 Highway Angel of the Year trophy from the Truckload Carriers Association on Dec. 30 before about 30,000 people at a college football bowl game in Boise, Idaho.

Hunt earned the award for helping to save a life after a fiery two-car collision on North Carolina Route 24 near Spring Lake on Oct. 12, 2008.

Hunt, who was driving for Mail Contractors of America at the time and is now an owner-operator, used his tractor-trailer to push one of the cars away from a fire that erupted after the accident, saving the driver’s life. He took that step after trying to use a fire extinguisher to put out the flames that engulfed the other vehicle and caused the death of that driver.

Hunt received the award in the end zone between the third and fourth quarters of Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl. TCA Chairman Kevin Burch told Transport Topics that Hunt received a standing ovation as the stadium announcer shared his story with the crowd. Hunt also did numerous media interviews during his time in Boise, Burch said.

“It was especially gratifying to see his actions celebrated at a bowl event, where he could be thanked by the public he serves,” Burch, who also is president of Jet Express Inc., said in a release announcing the award.

TCA President Chris Burruss and representatives from Roady’s Truck Stops, the Humanitarian Bowl and Internet Truck Stop were also on hand to honor Hunt.

The Highway Angel of the Year is selected by a subcommittee of the TCA Communications and Image Policy Committee, which compared Hunt’s actions with those

of other Angels selected during 2009.

Hunt also has received an award for valor from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

After the award presentation, the game offered more excitement for spectators: The University of Idaho scored a touchdown with four seconds remaining and then converted a two-point play to give the Vandals a 43-42 victory over Bowling Green.