2011 Bridgestone Canada Truck Hero Honored

2011 Bridgestone Canada Truck Hero Honored

The Bridgestone Truck Hero Award has been presented annually in Canada since 1956, recognizing professional truck drivers who demonstrate courage, quick thinking and integrity in the face of an emergency.

Darryn Belanger, a driver with Kriska Transport in Ontario, was named the winner of the 2011 Bridgestone-Ontario Trucking Association Truck Hero Award at the OTA conference in Toronto.

On July 16, Belanger was traveling behind another Kriska truck driver, James Monaghan, when a car lost control and struck Monaghan’s rig. As a result, the truck tipped over and the cab split open when it came down on a steel barrier.

Belanger maneuvered to avoid the collision, and then ran to Monaghan’s crushed cab. Despite the inherent danger, he made his way into the crushed cab through a hole in the sleeper and found Monaghan was trapped and possibly had a broken leg. Belanger was able to free his fellow driver just as spilled diesel fuel caught fire.

“Darryn’s heroic actions not only represent the best in trucking industry, but also the best in humanity,” said Leighton Watkins, Region Manager for Easter Canada Commercial Sales for Bridgestone Canada, during the awards presentation. “It’s truly an honour to recognize him with this award.”

The winner received a trip for two to Toronto to accept his award, a crystal trophy and a cash prize.

Pictured from l-r: 2011 Bridgestone Canada Truck Hero Winner Darryn Belanger and Leighton Watkins, Region Manager, Eastern Canada Region Commercial Sales, Bridgestone Canada Inc.