TCA RECOGNIZES J.E.T. TRANSIT DRIVER JONATHAN GAZARIAN AS A HIGHWAY ANGEL

09/26/2008
Alexandria, Virginia

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) recently recognized company equipment driver Jonathan Gazarian of French Lick, Indiana, as a Highway Angel for his bravery in assisting a man injured in a car accident.

Gazarian was driving to work around 3:45 a.m. when he noticed the lights of an SUV down over an embankment close to the tree line. “Something is wrong with this picture,” he thought, and went to investigate. Seeing that the vehicle was flipped upside down over a ditch, he proceeded to call 911. Soon after, he heard a faint cry and went to search for the driver.

The victim, Billy Stephens, Jr., had been returning from a local casino when suddenly his car hydroplaned and flipped over. Bleeding, he had pried the vehicle’s door open, but fell into the ditch filled with icy cold water and was unable to move further. Gazarian kept him coherent and calm until paramedics arrived and transported him to the local emergency room. Stephens was treated for broken vertebrae in his neck, a deep cut requiring stitches, and a bruised spleen.

“No one can ever tell me there is no such thing as angels anymore because I know one,” said Stephens. “His name is Jonathan Gazarian.”

Gazarian has been driving for more than 18 years and is close to having one million accident-free miles. A driver for Jet Transit, Inc., of Leavenworth, Indiana, he received a Highway Angel lapel pin, certificate, and patch for his efforts. Jet Transit, Inc., also received a certificate acknowledging that one of their drivers is a Highway Angel.

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.