Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Goodyear Names 34th Highway Hero at MATS

David Webb of Billings, Montana, accepted the 34th Goodyear Highway Hero Award during the Mid-America Trucking Show for saving the life of an incapacitated driver.

by Staff
March 23, 2017
Goodyear Names 34th Highway Hero at MATS

Photo: Deborah Lockridge

2 min to read


Photo: Deborah Lockridge

David Webb of Billings, Montana, accepted the 34th Goodyear Highway Hero Award during the  Mid-America Trucking Show for saving the life of an incapacitated driver.

Chosen from three finalists, Webb was recognized for stopping an out-of-control dump truck and performing CPR on the incapacitated driver.

Ad Loading...

Webb and his wife Carol were driving through Washington State last June when they noticed a dump truck swerving in the next lane. Webb saw that the driver was slumped over the steering wheel and as the dump truck slowed, he got out of his own truck to run after the still-moving vehicle.

Thinking fast, Webb jumped onto the truck’s running board, opened the door, reached inside and applied the brakes. As his wife called 911, he worked with another bystander to pull the driver out of the truck and perform CPR on the man until help arrived. The driver was hospitalized and survived.

Webb's training and experience in the military and as a volunteer firefighter contributed to his quick response.

Ad Loading...

“David took immediate action to save a fellow truck driver and stop an out-of-control truck that could have injured others,” said Gary Medalis, marketing director, Goodyear. “For his quick thinking and courage, we are proud to name him our 34th Goodyear Highway Hero.”

As the winner of the Goodyear Highway Hero Award, Webb received a special Highway Hero ring, a $5,000 prize, and other items. The other finalists were Chris Baker of Chicopee, Mass., and Tim Freiburger of Huntington, Ind. To read more about the other finalists, click here.

The Goodyear Highway Hero Award winner was selected by an independent panel consisting of members of the trucking trade press.

“We are proud of all three of our Highway Hero finalists,” said Medalis. “Each is a hero in his own right and is truly worthy of recognition.”

More Drivers

American flag in background with photos of military truck and Freedom Haulers ad graphic
Driversby Deborah LockridgeJuly 30, 2026

Trump Administration Looks to Put More Veterans Behind the Wheel

The Freedom Haulers program pulls together existing and expanded programs at several federal agencies to recruit veterans to drive commercial heavy-duty trucks and cut the red tape for them to get a CDL, training, and employment.

Read More →
Equipmentby Jim ParkJuly 30, 2026

Putting Mack’s Command Steer to the Test

A test drive of Mack’s Command Steer active steering system evaluates how it can make truck driving easier and less tiring.

Read More →
Truck driver behind the wheel with illustration overlaid of someone handing out cash
Driversby Deborah LockridgeJuly 28, 2026

Competition Heating Up for Truck Drivers

New report reveals rising driver hiring costs, the return of sign-on bonuses, growing AI advantages, and the operational factors shaping driver retention.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Line of gray semi trucks with Fraley & Schilling logo
Safety & ComplianceJuly 15, 2026

How Fraley & Schilling Improved Logbook Compliance by Over 50%

Fraley & Schilling needed a way to close a compliance workflow gap in its ELD system without adding more work from driver training, reminders, and back-office follow-ups. It found the answer in a custom driver app.

Read More →
Volvo American Truck Simulator.
Driversby News/Media ReleaseJuly 8, 2026

Volvo Goes Gaming

Volvo has roared into American Truck Simulator with two new flagship trucks.

Read More →
Two black men in safety vests walking together laughing in a truck fleet yard
Driversby Deborah LockridgeJuly 6, 2026

What the Best Fleets to Drive For Teach About Driver Retention

Survey fatigue, AI-powered routing, owner-operator expectations, and the decline of social media all emerged as themes from this year's Best Fleets to Drive For program.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Podcast thumbnail showing Jane Jazrawy, the words "When Drivers Tune Out," and a line drawing of a truck.
DriversJuly 2, 2026

Driver Retention Lessons From the Best Fleets to Drive For

What separates trucking's best workplaces from the rest? Jane Jazrawy shares the biggest lessons from this year's Best Fleets to Drive For program on driver retention, communication, AI, and workforce trends on the HDT Talks Trucking podcast.

Read More →
Man standing beside tractor-trailer in sepia tone with the words "Farewell CDL" superimposed on top
Driversby Jack RobertsJuly 1, 2026

Farewell, CDL: Why I'm Giving Up My Commercial Driver's License

After more than 20 years as a CDL holder, HDT Executive Editor Jack Roberts is letting his commercial license expire. Not because he wants to — but because trucking's nuclear verdict crisis has made the risks of public-road test drives too great for editors, manufacturers, and everyone involved.

Read More →
HDT Talks Trucking thumbnail with photo of Jane Jazrawy and the text,, "When Drivers Tune Out"
Driversby Deborah LockridgeJune 24, 2026

How Top Trucking Fleets Improve Driver Retention [Video]

What do healthy snacks, optimized routing, and just picking up the phone have in common? They're all strategies the Best Fleets to Drive For are using to retain truck drivers.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Trucker Path Cargo Net theft overlay.
Driversby News/Media ReleaseJune 23, 2026

Trucker Path Adds Verisk CargoNet Theft Data to Navigation Platform

Trucker Path’s new cargo theft risk overlays give drivers and fleets visibility into high-risk areas, stolen commodity trends, and theft hotspots.

Read More →