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| Jorge Orozco-Sanchez with his Freightliner Columbia tractor, donated by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. Photo by Nikohle Ellis |
The Truck Writers of North America has raised $3,000 to help get Jorge Orozco-Sanchez, the 2008 Goodyear Highway Hero, get back on the road.
Owner-operator Orozco-Sanchez has been out of commission since October 2008, when an SUV struck his tractor-trailer rig, and he rescued two girls in the vehicle.
In March, Orozco-Sanchez was presented the Highway Hero award at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky. He had been unable to return to his driving duties as a result of an insurance settlement delay.
Orozco-Sanchez is now driving a 2005 Freightliner Columbia tractor and a 2008 Timpte grain hopper, which the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association financed. He was also able to receive a grant for an APU from SmartWay, but the down payment for truck and trailer insurance, taxes, title and licensing fees mounted.
The TWNA board voted to pay half of the insurance down payment of $700, and asked for donations from its member businesses for the remaining $700. Within weeks, TWNA's members contributed $2,300 on top of the initial $700, for a total of $3,000.
"I'm honored to be a part of such a giving community of people," said Tom Kelley, executive director of TWNA. "We know that times are tough for everyone right now but it's moments like this that bring out the best in our industry."
The TWNA member companies who contributed to Orozco-Sanchez's return to work include: Shell Lubricants, ArvinMeritor, Bendix, Truck-Lite, Nancy Bingham & Caterpillar, SKF Group, SAF-Holland, and Eaton/RoadRanger.
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