Victor Green, a professional truck driver with ABF Freight, Inc., of Fort Smith, Arkansas, has been named a Highway Angel by the Truckload Carriers Association.
On March 29, 2018, after a long day of work, Victor was returning to the terminal when he noticed a car with an older woman waving her hand trying to get his attention. The woman let Victor know that she was trying to get to Shreveport, so Victor pointed her to the interstate and told her to take 55 North to 20 West toward Shreveport.
The woman responded, “I don’t think I can do that. People have been giving me directions and telling me which way to go, but I always seem to get lost again.” This statement alarmed Victor and made him think there could be something wrong with the woman. He walked alongside her and guided her to the interstate, where she immediately turned the wrong way. Now Victor knew something was wrong, so he jotted her tag number down and quickly found his dispatcher and explained the situation. They called the police department in Byrum, where she was headed, but they said there was nothing they could do.
At this point it was long past time for Victor to go home. “After a long day like that, you’re just really ready to go home, you know?” says Victor. “I got my bag, clocked out and started walking across the yard, and something poked me inside and said there was something more I needed to do,” he recalls. He got in his truck and decided to go look for the woman.
Victor headed toward Byrum to see if he recognized the car anywhere. After traveling several miles, he looked over the interstate and saw a car headed north with the interior light on. Something told him he needed to turn around, so he got back on the interstate and came up behind the car. It was the woman, driving about 30 mph on the interstate with people flying by honking at her, which almost caused several accidents. Victor continued to trail her with his flashers on as she turned onto different interstates, and called his dispatcher and the police department.
Finally, the woman pulled over because she didn’t know which way to go, so Victor was able to jump out of the truck and walk up to the car. After telling her he was there to help her get to where she needed to be, he stayed with her and kept her calm while waiting for the police to arrive.
The woman said her sister had passed away and she was trying to make it to the service. Victor asked if there was anyone he could call to let them know she was alright. The woman gave Victor what he thought was her brother’s number, although it was her son, who was beyond appreciative for helping his mother. Her son confirmed she was not supposed to be driving, as she gets confused and cannot see clearly. The police department arrived on the scene and began talking to the woman, so Victor knew she was in good hands.
In response to what motivated him to help that evening, Victor says, “The Spirit led me to do what I had to do or else someone could have been hurt or lost a life. I wasn’t doing it for any recognition or anything. I have a mother and you just don’t want to see anyone in this situation in their life. I may never see this lady again, but we are all God’s angels. He watches over us, and by him telling me to protect and watch over a stranger, I feel like that particular day I was her angel to get her on the right track.”
Victor says he is a Christian and this evening reminded him of a Bible verse he always turns back to: Hebrews 13:1-2. “Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”
For his willingness to assist his fellow driver, TCA has presented Victor with a certificate, patches, lapel pin, and truck decals. ABF Freight, Inc. also received a certificate acknowledging him as a Highway Angel.
EpicVue sponsors TCA’s Highway Angel program. Since the program’s inception in August 1997, hundreds of drivers have been recognized as Highway Angels for the exemplary kindness, courtesy, and courage they have displayed while on the job.
Source: Truckload Carriers Association