Latest news with #HighwayAngelAward
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
St. Pete trucker honored as 'Highway Angel' for heroic actions following devastating crash
The Brief A professional truck driver was recently honored with the "Highway Angel Award" for his courageous actions following a serious crash he witnessed last month. While driving through Alabama, he encountered the aftermath of a horrific accident on the interstate. A pickup truck had collided with the rear of a stopped car, forcing it under an 18-wheeler. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - As holiday traffic surged over the weekend, many travelers found themselves battling congested roads. However, for one St. Petersburg trucker, the long weekend was spent on the road with a renewed sense of purpose. Deshown Moye, a professional truck driver, was recently honored with the "Highway Angel Award" for his courageous actions following a serious crash he witnessed last month. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The backstory While thousands rushed to their destinations, Moye embarked on a long-haul trip to Denver, maintaining a steady pace and urging others to do the same. "I just tell everybody, man, it's not worth it. Slow down, put those phones down, and pay attention," he advised. He has not been able to put a crash from last month in his rearview. While driving through Alabama, he encountered the aftermath of a horrific accident on the interstate. A pickup truck had collided with the rear of a stopped car, forcing it under an 18-wheeler. READ: St. Pete to resume late water bill fee collection. Here's what to know Moye's wife captured the scene from the passenger seat, highlighting the chaos and urgency of the situation. The first thing Moye noticed was a child standing alone on the side of the highway. "We didn't see anybody, but this child standing on the side of the highway," he recalled. Ensuring the child's safety, Moye was directed to a woman trapped inside the crumpled car, severely injured in the collision. MORE: St. Pete Police receive grant money to create youth program aimed at reducing teen gun violence Dig deeper "The bone was sticking out of her leg, so I knew it hurt," Moye described, detailing the severity of her injuries. Without hesitation, he applied pressure to her wounds and held her hand, offering comfort and reassurance. "The best thing for me to do was to grab her hand. She reached out for me, saying, 'Baby, stay with me, stay, stay. Please, please, please. I'm scared.' I was like, 'Sweetie, okay, I'm not going nowhere. I'm going to stay right here until the EMS get here,'" Moye recounted. Realizing her seatbelt was restricting her breathing, Moye acted swiftly. "I grabbed the seatbelt at the bottom over here in the corner and I cut it. As soon as I cut, you could see her chest, like the airflow just started going," he explained. Big picture view Moye's selfless actions did not go unnoticed. The Truckload Carriers Association awarded him the "Highway Angel Award," recognizing his bravery and compassion. READ: Florida Orchestra timpanist retires after nearly 4 decades, joined by son in final performance "She was like, 'Thank you so much. You were a God-sent angel.' I was just like, I was right here at the right time, sweetheart. That's all I got," Moye humbly shared. Why you should care The accident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of distracted driving. With no skid marks on the highway, it is believed the pickup driver, traveling at 80 miles per hour, never braked before hitting the stopped traffic. As summer travel continues, Moye's story underscores the importance of arriving alive. This Highway Angel's message is clear: The journey's true purpose is reaching your destination safely. The Source The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Genevieve Curtis. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Yahoo
Plant City man rescued from Hurricane Milton floodwaters on life support after hit-and-run crash
The Brief A Plant City man who was rescued from Hurricane Milton floodwaters is now on life support following a hit-and-run crash. He was riding his e-bike down to Walgreens and was on his way back when he was hit on Thonotosassa Road. Anyone with information is asked to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. PLANT CITY, Fla. - A Plant City man who was rescued from Hurricane Milton floodwaters is now on life support following a hit-and-run crash on March 15. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office's traffic homicide unit are now investigating the case. The backstory Danny Heaton and his girlfriend of 18 years, Tonia Muse, were both rescued back in October from rising floodwaters by a Good Samaritan during the height of Hurricane Milton's aftermath. The couple was in their Plant City trailer when the water rose to their chest. RELATED:Trucker who got 'Highway Angel' award for saving couple from Hurricane Milton floodwater lands in hospital Trucker George Maxwell received a Highway Angel Award after he rescued the couple and drove them to higher ground. But now, Heaton is on life support at Lakeland Regional Health. Big picture view "Danny used to say, 'you, saved my life like three or four times.' I can't save him this time. There's nothing that can be done," said Muse. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube Muse said on March 15 that Heaton was riding his e-bike down to Walgreens to get medication and was on his way back when he was hit just before midnight on Thonotosassa Road. "When these people hit him, they didn't stay. They left him for trash," said Muse. "He's more important than that. He's mine. He's my person. And you know, and we finished each other's sentences," said Muse. Dig deeper The crash report lists the vehicle that hit Heaton as "unknown." Muse said after 10 days on life support, she had to make a painful choice when she learned that he would not survive without machines. "I know that we've evaluated, we've looked at all the options, to see what would be best for him. He would not want to be in the bed. He would not want to be in the bed," said Muse. READ: 'Trooper's Law': Dog abandoned on I-75 during Hurricane Milton evacuations inspires Florida bill What's next She said doctors are evaluating if Heaton can donate any organs, before they take him off life support, which would likely be on Wednesday. Muse wants the person who hit him held responsible. "You took his life, and you took my life as well. Because I'll never get over mourning him, never," said Muse. What you can do Anyone with information should contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. The Source The information in this story was gathered through an interview with Tonia Muse. It also contains details from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and previous FOX 13 reporting. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
