FTC TRANSPORTATION PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVER PROTECTS CRASH VICTIM DURING RUSH HOUR ACCIDENT

6/10/2022
Alexandria, Virginia          

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has named truck driver Tony Barton, from Blountville, Tennessee, a Highway Angel for using his truck to block and protect a vehicle and driver that had crashed during a late-afternoon crash. Barton drives for FTC Transportation, Inc. based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 

It’s an incredible story: On April 21, 2022 at 4:45 p.m., Barton was driving through Nashville, Tennessee on Interstate 440 when he noticed a black BMW SUV fishtailing.

Within moments, the driver lost control and ran head-on into a concrete barrier. Just then, Barton watched as the vehicle rolled over completely, landing back onto its wheels, coming to a rest right next to his truck.

Barton immediately stopped. “I didn’t want to T-bone this woman that just rolled her car,” he shared with TCA. “It was right in the middle of the road.” He quickly dialed 911 and rushed to check on the motorist.

Once Barton reached the crashed vehicle, he found the woman conscious and talking, but in great pain and seemed confused. He bravely kept his rig parked in the middle of the interstate to block and protect the vehicle from being hit by oncoming traffic, until emergency responders arrived.

“I wanted to block the lane so nobody else could hit her,” he recalled. “My first instinct in any kind of accident like that is to help do whatever I can for somebody that’s injured – it’s not the worst wreck I’ve seen, but it’s not the smallest either.”

Shortly thereafter, emergency personnel arrived on scene and tended to the shaken motorist, thanks to Barton’s efforts. He shared with TCA that he has been a volunteer firefighter for decades and knew how to respond in a situation like this. 

TCA has presented him with a certificate, patches, lapel pin, and truck decals. The company has also received a letter acknowledging him as a Highway Angel.

Since the program’s inception in August 1997, nearly 1,300 professional truck drivers have been recognized as Highway Angels for the exemplary kindness, courtesy, and courage they have displayed while on the job.

Special thanks to the program’s Presenting Sponsor, EpicVue, and Supporting Sponsor, DriverFacts.