CFI DRIVER HELPS SAVE FELLOW COMPANY DRIVER AFTER ACCIDENT

04/08/2019
Alexandria, Virginia

Jacob Elkins of Joplin, Missouri, a professional truck driver for CFI also of Joplin, has been named a Highway Angel by the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA). He is being recognized for helping a fellow company driver after his truck went into ditch.

On May 23, 2018, Elkins was driving from the eastern side of Effingham, Illinois on I-70 when he came across a semi-truck nose down in a ditch. Acting swiftly, Jacob safely pulled over to the shoulder; he was the first person to arrive on the scene. Without hesitation he noticed it was a fellow CFI truck. Immediately he went to the cab to try and help the driver. Elkins shared that the fellow driver could not talk and was very weak. “He was breathing heavily, so I called 911 and dispatch,” recalled Elkins. “He didn’t want to move because he was too weak, but he was able to tell me his name was Stanley Rowe.”

Elkins told the driver that he would stay with him until emergency personnel arrived. Elkins then called CFI to notify operations and the safety department. A representative with CFI shared that Elkins was a huge help to not only Rowe, but also to everyone at CFI for relaying information and details on the man’s condition. “I’ve been driving since I was 21 years old,” said Elkins. “I’ve seen trucks rolled over, stuck in ditches, fatalities and close calls. Just a few months ago a woman in front of me rolled her car and I had to cut her out through the windshield. You drop what you’re doing and go at first instinct, even though you might lose time or miles.”

For his willingness to assist his fellow drivers, TCA has presented Elkins with a certificate, patch, lapel pin, and truck decals. CFI has also received a certificate acknowledging their driver as a Highway Angel.