Gyslain “Juice” Lemelin is named TCA’s latest Highway Angel
Alexandria, Virginia – The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) is pleased to name Gyslain “Juice” Lemelin, a professional truck driver for N. Yanke Transfer of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, as its latest Highway Angel.
On October 23, 2011, at about 9:15 a.m., Lemelin was heading west on the Trans-Canada Highway outside of Virden, Manitoba, Canada, when he was passed by two people in a pick-up truck. Accompanied by their two dogs, couple was on their way home from a wedding and were towing a camper filled with belongings.
As they passed by, Lemelin smelled a burning, chemical-like odor coming from the pick-up. He told his friend (who was talking to him on a headset at the time) that he planned to keep an eye out for the couple. Just moments later, he saw a puff of white smoke in the distance and knew the motorists were in trouble.
“I had a feeling they weren’t going to get very far,” said Lemelin, who has had training as a mechanic. “I’ve smelled that smell before. I knew it was the transmission – transmission fluid is highly flammable.”
By the time Lemelin pulled up at the scene, flames had already spread all over the pick-up’s hood, the battery was melting, and the ground underneath the vehicle was on fire. Had another few minutes gone by, the engine would surely have exploded, and the couple could have lost the contents of their truck and trailer, or worse. Lemelin used his fire extinguisher to put out the flames while the motorists frantically removed their dogs and valuables from the vehicle. When the fire was out, he allowed the couple to use his cell phone to call for assistance.
The grateful motorists later wrote a very complimentary e-mail to N. Yanke Transfer praising Lemelin for his quick actions. “Please tell [Lemelin] that random acts of kindness don’t go without notice, and we are both grateful that he didn’t just drive on by like everyone else,” they said.
For his efforts that morning, Lemelin has received a Highway Angel lapel pin, certificate, and patch. N. Yanke Transfer also received a certificate acknowledging that one of its drivers is a Highway Angel.
Since its inception in August 1997, the Highway Angels program has recognized hundreds of drivers for the unusual kindness, courtesy, and courage they have shown others while on the job. TCA has received letters and e-mails from people across North America nominating truck drivers for the program.
To view archival copies of past Highway Angel press releases, visit www.truckload.org/newsroom. To learn more about the program or to nominate a driver, go to www.truckload.org/highway-angel or visit the Angels’ Facebook page at http://on.fb.me/tcanews. For additional information, contact TCA at (703) 838-1950 or angel@truckload.org.
Heroic stuff. I hate fire and don't know if I'd run up there all willy-nilly like he did.
Posted by: Peterbilt Exhaust | December 30, 2011 at 03:27 PM