The 2011 recipient of Highway Angel of the Year is Marcus Beam, a professional truck driver for Epes Transport System, Inc., of Greensboro, N.C. Beam was chosen as the Highway Angel who best embodies the spirit of the program.

In the early evening of August 8, 2011, Beam was driving on I-40 near Benson, N.C. when he saw a speeding car strike a vehicle, causing it to flip and careen down an embankment into the woods. Upon approaching the scene, Beam found other motorists present, but they refused to help because the car's engine was revving, and it seemed like the car might catch on fire.

Beam succeeded in locating the overturned car in dark woods, and found the female driver hanging upside down shouting, "My babies! My babies!" Beam freed the children and driver while managing to avoid injuring himself.

Beam will be honored at the Idaho Potato Bowl, accompanied by Kevin Rickansrud, vice president of operations, and JT Toler, director of dedicated operations, of Epes Transport System, Inc. After his story is told, he will receive a trophy in front of the 34,000-person audience.

"The management team at Epes Transport System is very proud of Marcus on being recognized as Highway Angel of the Year. Marcus does a great job every day and fortunately was able to help out a motorist and her children in a great time of need," said Britt Colley, president and COO for the company. "We are very fortunate to have a great team of professional drivers at Epes Transport. Our driver force is definitely our # 1 asset. Congratulations to Marcus!"

Beam will be recognized by TCA and Internet Truckstop, the Highway Angel program's sponsor, at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (formerly known as the Humanitarian Bowl) on Saturday, December 17, 2011, at 3:30 p.m. MST at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho.

Gary Salisbury, TCA's chairman and the president and CEO of Fikes Truck Line, Inc., of Hope, Ark., said, "I am always impressed when I hear stories like Beam's… what a Good Samaritan! I'm even more astounded that people stood around and watched him take action. It will be an honor to present him with the Highway Angel of the Year award next month."