Good Samaritan Truck Driver Honored as ‘Angel’
ARCHDALE — Kerry Netusil, a truck driver from Hawley, Pennsylvania, has received recognition from the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) for his heroic actions in extinguishing a burning pickup truck along Interstate 85 in Archdale last month.
Netusil, a driver for Minnesota-based Bay & Bay Transportation, was traveling on I-85 around 12:25 p.m. on April 22 when he witnessed a pickup truck engulfed in flames. The driver appeared to be without any means to extinguish the fire.
“I pulled over and ran back with my fire extinguisher,” Netusil told TCA in an interview. “The guy’s truck was totaled, and he had definitely burned part of his hand in the fire.”
Netusil’s actions were influenced by his family background; both his grandfather and father were firefighters. He stated that he never hesitated to stop and assist the distressed driver.
“I don’t like the idea of people losing stuff because I didn’t feel like pulling over,” Netusil explained. “It just doesn’t sit right with me.”
The TCA Highway Angel program, established in August 1997, has recognized nearly 1,500 professional truck drivers for their exemplary kindness, courtesy, and courage displayed while on duty. Netusil is the latest to be honored with this distinction.
The program highlights the positive impact that professional truck drivers can have on their communities, often going above and beyond their regular duties to assist those in need.
