TCA Salutes Highway Angel Andrew Lee, of Silver Springs, Nevada
Alexandria, VA, June 6, 2006 – The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) recently recognized Andrew Lee, of Silver Springs, Nevada, as a Highway Angel for assisting a diabetic grandmother in a crisis situation.
Lee had pulled into a truck stop off I-5 near Marysville, Washington, to purchase lunch, and was returning to his rig when he walked by an SUV parked close to the store entrance. The female driver had her window down, and Lee smiled and said hello. "She looked like she was ready to fall asleep," Lee said of the woman who suddenly pleaded for his help. She explained that she was a diabetic, had been feeling dizzy, pulled into the truck stop, and upon checking her blood sugar, discovered it was extremely low. She did not have enough energy to get herself and her 17-month-old twin grandsons, who were asleep in the back of the vehicle, into the store to purchase what she needed. Fearing she would lose consciousness, when she saw Lee's friendly face, she said "Can you help me?"
Without hesitation, Lee quickly placed his own lunch on the hood of her car and ran into the store to buy orange juice. "I've been in this situation before," Lee said. "I didn't know the entire consequences of it, but I knew a diabetic needed orange juice. It doesn't take very long to bring the blood sugar level to normal."
An avid reader, Lee had learned that orange juice is a fact-acting remedy for correcting low blood sugar. To help stabilize the woman's sugar level, he hurried back to the store to get her some candy bars while she drank the juice. Then he remained with her until she reached a safe blood sugar level.
The woman, Dr. Ginny Tresvant, was so thankful, she wanted to pay him for his services, but he declined. Tresvant followed up with a letter to Davis Transport to commend Lee for his "quick thinking and fast actions" in what she called "a crisis situation."
Lee, who has often stopped to help motorists during his 14 years of driving, thought there was nothing special about his actions. "I don't know why, it's just in my nature to help," he said. "I like the feeling I get in helping people."
Lee received a Highway Angel lapel pin, certificate, and patch for his efforts, and his employer, Davis Transport, Inc., also received a certificate for acknowledging a Highway Angel in their midst.
Since its inception in August 1997, the Highway Angel program has recognized hundreds of drivers for the unusual kindness, courtesy, and courage they have shown others while on the job. TCA has received letters and emails from people across the country nominating truck drivers for the program.
"We continue to be amazed by the number of professional truckers who go out of their way to help a stranger and many times put their lives at risk as well," said Nancy O'Liddy, director of public affairs and marketing for TCA. "TCA is proud and delighted to offer the kind of program that gives these drivers the recognition and support they deserve while at the same time creates a greater public awareness and appreciation for the many outstanding drivers in this industry."
To view archival copies of past Highway Angel press releases, visit our website address at www.truckload.org/pressroom/index.shtml#angelnews. To nominate a driver online, go to www.truckload.org/highwayangels/nominate.asp. For more information on the program, contact TCA at 703/838-1950 or via email at Angel@truckload.org.
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