SAFE PASSAGE
James Pratt
EVB
Service Center

James Pratt drives for Pennsylvania's DOT. He was filling up his tow truck's gas tank at a station near Philadelphia International Airport, when he was approached by a panicked out-of-towner asking directions to the nearest hospital. A passenger in her car had suddenly become gravely ill and Pratt quickly realized that directing them through the highway maze would confuse them.

He jumped in his truck, turned on his flashing red lights and led them to the hospital, where Kitti Colucci was successfully treated by a neurosurgeon for three ruptured brain aneurysms. About half who suffer such attacks usually die. It's no wonder the Colucci family call James Pratt their angel.
American Towman
Commendation


BACK ON TRACK
Joseph A. "Tony" Troilo Jr.
Rosson & Troilo Motor Co.

A jeep that had smacked into the Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks and landed in a ditch. Troilo was called to tow the jeep away. On scene, he noticed the crash had knocked the track out of alignment. A cluster of propane storage tanks stood 25 yards off, and he recognized the potential for catastrophe. Troilo insisted the railroad be notified. He refused to move anything until the tracks were inspected. This tipped a railroad dispatcher to cancel the next train coming down the line. But they couldn't guarantee a repair any time soon.

Not willing to wait, Troilo called for backup. His son, Joseph Anthony III, came to help. Tony hooked up his winch to the misaligned track and directed his son to pull it back into line. The Amtrak supervisor said Troilo acted "like a general on the scene of a battle."

His son Joseph A. Troilo III accepted his award.
American Towman
Commendation


CONTROLLED LIFT
Mason Cook
Willits Towing

A cabover had tipped off the side of a California highway, its driver pinned inside, his legs entangled in the steering column. Firefighters and CHP were having difficulty cutting him out. An EMT was in the cab administering an IV. At least eight more fire and rescue personnel were working on scene. Mason Cook convinced them that he could lift the cab up and hold it aloft while they finished cutting the metal away from the driver's feet and leg. Using his Peterbilt 9050, he tilted the cab up two and a half feet and held it there safely for the driver's rescue. The job took more than two and half hours, but with Cook's knowledge of big truck accidents and recoveries and his confidence in his equipment, he was able to help save this driver's life.
American Towman
Commendation


QUICK THINKING
Ray Blaskey

During heavy rains in Southern California last winter, a vehicle slid off the freeway and landed upside down in a drainage ditch. The vehicle's doors could not be opened; the driver was trapped and the water was rising rapidly.

Ray Blaskey was on his way to a call, driving a flatbed, when he was flagged down by a motorist who had seen the accident. Without delay, he prepared the vehicle for winching. He blocked two lanes of highway, winched the vehicle, rolled it and got it up on its wheels, freeing the trapped driver and saving his life.
American Towman
Commendation


TWICE A HERO
Shawn Knell
Above All Towing

Shawn Knell was pulling the cable out from his tow truck to begin a mud pullout, when the customer, a 71-year-old man, fell over-seized by a heart attack. Knell jumped into action, administered CPR, and saved the man's life.

Two month's later, Knell battled a raging wildfire on a highway near Yosemite National Park, not far from his home and the Above All shop. Knell was driving by, saw the fire, and jumped out of his truck, grabbing his shovel and pick to attack the blaze. He risked his own safety to try to stop the inferno even before the fire department could arrive and finish the job.
American Towman Medal


SAVING THE CHILDREN
Daren Graves
G&G Towing

Daren Graves helped in the arrest of a man who'd shot and killed his mother and wife. When Graves returned a call about towing a disabled car, he was surprised to hear children screaming into the phone: "Daddy shot mommy."

Graves asked for details and urged the children out of the house to the safety of a neighbor. He then contacted police and drove in his own vehicle to the house, where Graves, a former police officer, assisted in the arrest of the shooter, handcuffing the man while police held him down.
American Towman Medal


STOPPING DRUNK DRIVER AT ANY COST
Daniel Drake
P&J's Auto Body

Daniel Drake was returning from a call when he found himself on a highway watching a drunken driver weave erratically, bouncing off guard rails. Using hand signals, Drake and a truck driver agreed to box the drunken driver in and get her to the side of the 4-lane road.

Drake got out of his truck, but she tried to drive away. He lowered the truck bed to prevent her from moving. She started to back up. He walked between the truck and her car. Finally she handed over her keys.

When police arrived, they ticketed Drake for blocking traffic. He filed a complaint with the Florida Highway Patrol. The story made the local and national news and after several months, the case against this hero was dropped.

His fiance Dawn Griffin accepted his award.
American Towman Medal


RESCUE FROM A BURNING CAR
Archie Starcher
Starcher's Transport

Driving down a quiet back road one day, Starcher came across a car on fire out in a field. He dialed 911, and raced toward the engulfed vehicle. When he pulled on the door, smoke rolled out. Starcher couldn't see anyone inside, but felt around and discovered the young driver, still in his seat belt and unconscious.

With smoke obscuring his view, Starcher had to cut the driver loose with his pocketknife. Starcher's pants caught fire in the process, but he pulled the driver out and dragged him away from the burning car. The victim was helicoptered to a hospital, where he was treated for his injuries. Today, he and Starcher are friends.
American Towman Medal