Features Coordinator
Louisiana’s Courville Gets Crowned, Again, at State Truck Driving Championships
It is no surprise that defending Grand Champion Eric Courville showed up with his game face on for the Louisiana Truck Driving Championships on March 29. He came and he conquered, scoring 391 points to reign supreme again.
The seven-time state champ was destined for greatness after winning the Louisiana Motor Transport Association Rookie of the Year award in 1998. Since then, Courville has bagged the Best Pre-Trip award (2008) and the national title in the 3-Axle division as well as the highest written exam at the National Truck Driving Championships (2018). He also has and raised 17- and 15-year-old sons with his wife, Missy.
Courville competed in the 3-Axle division this year for the FedEx Freight team, which he has been a part of for 26 years. With this victory, Courville advances to his 11th NTDC.
Drivers advancing to the 2019 NTDC in Pittsburgh on Aug. 14-17:
- 3-Axle: Eric Courville, FedEx Freight
- 4-Axle: Brian Landry, FedEx Freight
- 5-Axle: Joseph Vital, FedEx Freight
- Flatbed: Joseph Brown, FedEx Freight
- Sleeper Berth: Chad Rudesill, FedEx Ground
- Tank Truck: Curtis McMellon, XPO Logistics
- Twins: Damian Herbert, XPO Logistics
- Straight Truck: Leroy Williams, XPO Logistics
- Step Van: Donald Williams, FedEx Ground
Hutto
This year’s Rookie of the Year award went to Old Dominion Freight Line driver Herman Hutto, who competed in the 3-Axle division and took second place with a score of 276.
Hutto has chalked up more than 1 million safe driving miles and is going on 21 years without an accident.
St. Pierre
John St. Pierre, who drives for C&S Wholesale Services, is Driver of the Year. St. Pierre has put in 25 years with his company, 24 of those accident-free. He was recognized for his willingness to go the extra mile to help customers and others on the road.
An eight-member contingent of XPO Logistics drivers won the trophy for highest average team score.
Check out the Louisiana State Truck Driving Championships photo gallery HERE.