Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/85435
logbook Woman's rescuer named Highway Hero Mike Schiotis, who saved a woman from a gun-wielding attacker, was named winner of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.'s 29th North America Highway Hero Award. The other finalists were an Ontario driver who pulled a motorist from a car minutes before it exploded; a Minnesota driver who came to the aid of an elderly couple who had been trapped in a car during a raging snowstorm; and an Ohio driver who rescued a trapped motorist whose car had plunged into a pond. On Nov. 1, Schiotis was driving in Pennsylvania when he saw a woman walking with a man close behind her. When Schiotis observed the man was pointing a gun at her, he stopped his truck and she began pounding on his door, screaming, "Help me! He's going to kill me!" Schiotis jumped out of his truck and stood between her and the assailant. He helped the woman into his rig and began driving. The gun-carrying man followed Schiotis, who notified the Pennsylvania State Highway Patrol and used his CB radio to tell other truckers what was transpiring. Another driver heard and drove with him side-by-side, weaving to prevent the gunman from closing in on Schiotis' tractor. This gave troopers time to catch up with the man and arrest him. The other three finalists were: • John Crozman of Albertville, Minn., who drives for Long Haul Trucking. While driving in a snowstorm near Summit, S.D., Crozman noticed a candle flickering inside a parked car. Crozman stopped, found an elderly couple inside and let them spend the night in his sleeper cab. • Melville Farnell of Shelburne, Ontario, a driver for Tupling Farms Produce. A car slammed into Farnell's truck head-on, causing his tractor- trailer to jackknife and leak fuel onto the highway. Farnell broke the driver's side window and pulled the motorist to safety minutes before the car exploded. • John Neumeier of Russia, Ohio, who drives for Bohman Trucking. He was loading his milk delivery truck Mike Schiotis, of Spring Hill, Tenn., drives for Panther Expedited Services. Nov. 14 when a car missed a curve on a nearby road and plunged into a pond. As the car began to sink, Neumeier grabbed a wrench, dove into the pond and broke the driver's side window. He pulled the semi-conscious driver to shore. — Staff reports Cargo theft increases Cargo theft in the United States increased 17 percent in 2011, says CargoNet, a collaboration of Verisk Analytics and the National Insurance Crime Bureau. CargoNet's report said 1,215 thefts were reported during 2011, up from 1,034 reported during 2010. After the 2010 report was released another 249 thefts were reported for the year. The 2011 total also could increase. Of the 1,215 cargo theft incidents recorded for last year, 116 involved base metals, 229 electronics, 105 apparel and accessories and 200 included prepared 18 OVERDRIVE MAY 2012 foodstuffs and beverages. Most cargo thefts occurred on Fridays (227), Saturdays (202) and Sundays (198). The favorite theft locations were truck stops, carrier/terminal lots and unsecured parking lots. Cargo theft reporting is increasing and collaboration and data sharing among the insurance and transportation industries and law enforcement is improving, CargoNet said. — Staff reports