Truck driver who saved a jailer from being strangled is Goodyear's 'Highway Hero'

A truck driver who saved a law enforcement official from being strangled by a prisoner has been named the 32nd Goodyear Highway Hero.

Chosen from three finalists, Clinton Blackburn from the US state of Kentucky received the Goodyear North America Highway Hero Award at last week’s Mid-America Trucking Show.

Blackburn was driving near Elizabethtown in the state last year when he observed a sheriff’s cruiser lurch toward the highway median and abruptly stop. He pulled up to investigate and noticed that the car’s driver side door was open. Inside, the driver, Darrell Herndon, was being strangled from behind by a prisoner, who was leaning over the back seat. Blackburn ran to the car, reached into the vehicle through its driver side door, and began struggling with the prisoner in an effort to free Herndon, who was immobilized by his seat belt.

During the melee, the prisoner pulled Herndon’s gun from its holster. Blackburn immediately grabbed the barrel of the gun and pointed it toward the car’s dashboard. Meanwhile, Herndon released his seat belt and rolled out of the car. The prisoner then tried to point the gun at Blackburn, who turned the weapon around and aimed it at the prisoner. Pointing the gun at the prisoner, Blackburn backed away from the car. Realizing that the cruiser’s keys were still in the ignition, the prisoner tried to start the car and drive away. Working together, Blackburn and Herndon subdued him.

“Clinton’s brave, decisive actions ensured that Darrell would be home with his family that night,” said Gary Medalis, marketing director, Goodyear Commercial Tire Systems. “Clinton acted without regard for his own safety, literally putting himself in harm’s way to save another person,” Medalis said.

As the 32nd Goodyear Highway Hero Award winner, Blackburn receives a special Highway Hero ring, a $5,000 prize and other items. Blackburn and two other truck drivers were selected as finalists for the 32nd Goodyear Highway Hero Award. The other finalists include: David Fredericksen, a driver who helped occupants from a car that caught fire get to safety) and Mack Guffey, a driver who pulled out a severely injured person from his SUV which had crashed into a guard rail and caught fire.

As India builds new roads and highways, one can only hope for people such as these who risk their lives to save strangers.