Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/740508
22 www.bigrigowner.com N OV E M B E R 2 0 1 6 LEGENDS OF THE ROAD Daniel Sieczkarski has been named a Highway Angel by the Truckload Carriers Associa- tion. Sieczkarski, a driver with Melton Truck Lines, is being recog- nized for saving another driver whose tractor-trailer was caught in rising floodwater. On April 18, 2016, Sieczkarski was driving on I-10 near Brookshire, Texas, just outside of Houston, when he heard a weather broadcast alert for flooding in the area. Shortly after, he noticed a tractor-trailer parked sideways in floodwater near a bridge with the driver behind the wheel. Im- mediately Sieczkarski knew something wasn't right. He quickly parked his truck in a safe place and ran back to check on the driver. "I had never seen flooding before, so I didn't realize how bad it was until I got closer," said Sieczkarski. As he gazed upon the scene, he realized how quickly the floodwater was rising around the driver and his truck. Sieczkarski borrowed a life vest and some tubing from a motorist that had also stopped. Together they tied the tubing to the vest and sent it down for the driver to use himself. After 15 minutes of talking with the driver, who was hesitant to leave his tractor-trailer and all his belongings, Sieczkarski knew he had to take matters into his own hands. Sieczkarski put the life vest on himself and swam to the stranded driver's truck. When he opened the cab door, the driver could see how quickly the water was rising and was convinced to leave his truck. Together they began swimming to safety. The motorists lent support by keeping ahold of the tubing to help in the rescue. Together they were submerged in the fast-rising water several times, but Sieczkarski and the other driver were able to reach drier land safely and unharmed. An hour after Sieczkarski decided to put another man's life before his own, he heard over the radio that the strand- ed tractor-trailer was fully submerged under the water. If he had not acted Trucker Saves Fellow Driver From Rising Floodwaters Daniel Sieczkarski named Highway Angel for his heroic efforts