This page is reserved as a memory for drivers who have lost their lives in the course of their work as professional drivers. Please come here often and as you do, reflect on the lives of your family, friends and coworkers ... and remember the families that have been left behind.
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Richard Edward Hartfel was tragically killed in an over the road trucking accident on Monday, March 7th, 2005. Rick was eastbound on I-40, approximately 35 miles west of Amarillo, when his truck crossed the median and the accident occurred. Rick is survived by a brother, Homer Hartfel of Bloomington, Minnesota, a sister, Margaret Hartfel of St. Paul, Minnesota, fiancé, Emily Muller of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and numerous other family members. Rick was a long-haul trucker for Werner Enterprises for more than 14 years where he was a member of their Million Mile Club and received numerous safety awards. He was passionate about his chosen profession and loved his life on the road. He died doing what he loved. Rick was caring and generous. His family and friends will miss his kindhearted spirit. |
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Tyrone Emig was from York, PA and was a driver for US Xpress in Chattanooga, TN. He had an engine malfunction on I-44 east of Joplin, MO. He finished his paperwork as he waited for the tow truck. WhenTyrone exited the cab, he mis-judged the distance that the cab had been raised by the tow truck and fell back on the pavement. Two eighteen wheelers barreling down on him in both east bound lanes could not adjust. The tow truck driver pulled him as far as he could and then dove underneath the trailer to avoid being hit . Tyrone suffered a heart attack as he viewed the top of the trailer and felt the eighteen wheeler's tires touch his head as he lay unable to help himself. The AmCoach took Tyrone home from the hospital in Tulsa, OK, however, his heart disease continued and he eventually passed away. |
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Dennis (JJ) Martian lost his life in June 2003 near Vulcan Alberta Canada when a four wheeler swerved into his lane and hit him headon. Both the driver of the four wheeler and JJ lost their lives in the accident. Trucking had been part of JJ's life since his teens. It was the joy of his life, however, his wife was the joy of his heart. He had just bought a new International Eagle tractor but never got to take delivery of it. Dennis was a big man -- over 6 ' 7" and could not walk down the street with out tripping over his own feet. But if you needed a hand, friend, or foe; JJ was there. No matter how bad you felt he could have you rolling on the floor laughing in minutes. Dennis is going to be missed by everyone who knew him. |
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William L McCauley Sr, of Spring Mount, formerly of Limerick PA died on June 9, 2006 as a result of a truck accident on Interstate 79 in Jackson Township, Butler County. He was born in Norristown on January 19, 1942, a son of Emily (Wilson) McCauley of E. Coventry and the late Joseph McCauley. He was 64. Mr. McCauley had been a driver for ROADWAY in West Chester for 16 years. He enjoyed drag races and car shows and loved his cats. He was an avid fan of NASCAR. He was killed when he hit the support of an Interstate 79 overpass. According to state police, he lost control of the truck. Hitting the guardrail on the east side of the road, he crossed into the median. He continued through the median before he struck the Evans Road bridge abutment. Mr. McCauley is
survived by his children, Michele |
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Randy Phillips died after having been brought home by the AmCoach. He was in Laredo, TX driving an 18-wheeler when he became ill. He had informed his company that he was ill prior to his dispatch, but they insisted that he take the load and even told him, he could take his family with him if he desired. His wife and three children went with him on the trip and remained at his side as he recovered enough to make the trip home to Altus, OK. TransAlive was called in to help get him and his family back home as it became apparent that the family should not have been with him in the first place. According to his company he was not following company policy and denied any request for assistance in getting home. The AmCoach is a program sponsored by TransAlive USA to help drivers get back home after suffering illnesses or injuries while working away from home. It was our privilege to help Randy, Carrie, and his children return home. |
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Ralph Hitchcock was truly a remarkable man. He was devoted to his family and to his work. Ralph first became involved with TransAlive when he suffered an accident that required his wife, Cassandra, to be hospitalized in Lubbock, TX. He called us for assistance in gettting his family home and we were able to transport him, his family, and his two family dogs. Later, he was instrumental in helping one of his fellow drivers who had been involved in a shooting accident in Memphis, TN get home by again contacting us. On the return trip from Tazewell, TN where we had dropped off a driver from Laredo, TX, we picked up his friend and took him to Gonzales, LA. We were saddened by the message that we received from his family when he suffered a fatal accident in the Baton Rouge, LA area that took his life. It was our privilege to know Ralph and to work with him in making the industry a better place to serve and work. |
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Roger Wayne Anderson 1944 - 2009 |
Roger Wayne Anderson lived in Thomasville, GA all his life. He had just turned 64 and was married to
the love of his life Linda for 41 years.
They had six children and several grand and great grandchildren. He
bought his own truck in 2000 and leased on with RBI in Cairo Georgia. He was in Hartsfield Ala on Feb 13 and had
not been feeling well. His daughter
called RBI and told them she could not reach him on the phone. They tracked his truck to 100 miles from
were he picked up the day before. A truck in the area was sent to check on
him. Roger died in his sleeper of a massive heart attack. He
loved to talk and tell jokes. He was known all around the truck stops as
Rooster. He is missed every day. He was a wonderful man and a die hard
trucker. It was in his blood. Roger
had over a million accident free miles. |
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(Photos and obituaries will be available as provided. Send them to Bob Hataway, TransAlive USA, Inc, P O Box 821546, Fort Worth, TX 76182-1546. You may call 800-USA-HURT for more information or email me at Bob_Hataway@transalive.com.) |
