Truck Driver Honored After Helping Rescue Abducted Woman

August 18, 2025

A truck driver from Newport, Tennessee is being celebrated as a hero after his quick thinking helped save a young woman from her alleged abductor.

Ron Ross / Truckload Carriers Association

On February 25, Ron Ross was parked at a rest area along I-40 in rural West Tennessee when he noticed something that didn’t sit right. A young woman suddenly ran past his truck, shoes in hand, before sprinting toward the woods. Moments later, Ross saw a man chasing after her.

“It scared me,” Ross said. “I went and called 911.”

Within minutes, a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper arrived at the scene and rescued the woman, who authorities later said had been abducted in California. Ross also provided police with dashcam footage that captured what he had witnessed, giving investigators critical evidence.

Looking back, Ross admitted he wasn’t sure what to make of the moment until it sank in.

“I asked another truck driver who was there, ‘Did I just save that girl’s life?’ I hope I did.”

For his bravery and decisive action, Ross was named a “Highway Angel” by the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), an honor reserved for drivers who display courage, kindness, and quick judgment while on the job. Since its launch in 1997, the program has recognized nearly 1,500 professional truckers across the country.

Ross drives for MCK Trucking out of Madison, Alabama, where company leaders said they couldn’t be more proud.

“MCK is grateful to have a driver like Ron who makes a difference in the world,” said Safety Director David Wheeler.