PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVER MANEUVERS TRUCK QUICKLY TO AVOID MAJOR COLLISION

09/06/2019
Alexandria, Virginia

The Truckload Carriers Association has named Jim Kurent of Burlington, Vermont, a professional truck driver with ABF Freight System, Inc. also of Fort Smith, Arkansas, a Highway Angel. He is being recognized for acting quickly to avoid major highway collision.

On January 19, Kurent was on a two-lane highway in Vermont when a Subaru going the opposite direction crossed over the center line right in front of him. Without a moment to spare, he swerved to avoid hitting the car head on as the passenger vehicle was traveling 50 mph. The car bounced off the side of Kurent’s truck and ended up on the other side of the road. Kurent’s truck slid in to a ditch but thankfully, he was able to maneuver out of the cab. Acting swiftly, as he remarkably was left unscathed, he walked up to the highway to check on the driver of the Subaru.  Later it was determined that the man was apparently listening to a book on tape and was distracted; the motorist did not notice he was drifting into oncoming traffic.

“I wouldn’t say this was a heroic deed, but I was just alert and doing my job as I always do,” Kurent shared with TCA. “The driver of the car made a comment that my actions saved his life.  I don’t know about that. But if I wouldn’t have been alert and swerved into the ditch, 50 miles an hour verses 50 miles an hour head on would not have turned out as safe as it did.”

For his quick thinking and willingness to provide aid, TCA has presented Kurent with a certificate, patch, lapel pin, and truck decals. ABF Freight System, Inc. also received a certificate acknowledging their driver as a Highway Angel.

The Highway Angel program, managed by the Truckload Carriers Association, is an ongoing effort to help recognize driver professionalism and to elevate the public’s awareness of, and appreciation for, outstanding drivers in the trucking industry. The Highway Angel program is generously sponsored by EpicVue, the leading provider of premium in-cab satellite TV services packaged exclusively for the trucking industry.