Erb Driver Recognized as 2023 TCA Highway Angel of the Year

March 25, 2024, Nashville, Tennessee – Winnipeg-based Professional Truck Driver, Dawna Jacobsen, of The Erb Group has been named one of three 2023 TCA Highway Angels of the Year by the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA). This is the first year that the TCA has recognized three Highway Angels of the Year, and these professional drivers were announced and celebrated at a luncheon awards program that was held on March 25th at the TCA’s annual convention in Nashville. TCA Highway Angel sponsors EpicVue and Northland Insurance introduced the TCA Highway Angels of the Year, and standing ovations followed each driver.

Dawna Jacobsen’s heroic story happened on a fateful evening in December 2022, when Dawna was driving along Highway 11 in Northern Ontario and came across a harrowing scene. A group of friends had been attempting to cross the highway on snowmobiles, but a twelve-year-old boy hadn’t made it in time to avoid being struck by an oncoming vehicle. Upon witnessing the snowmobile accident, she immediately maneuvered her truck to shield the boy and signal to other drivers to avoid the scene, protecting him from further injury.

Our President and CEO, Wendell Erb, COO Greg Tuckwell, Senior HR Director, Alyssa Couvillion, and Senior Director of US Operations, Kevin Erb, accompanied Dawna as she was presented the award. In addition to being a Highway Angel, Dawna’s swift defensive driving skills and compassionate nature have not only earned her recognition as a 2023 TCA Highway Angels of the Year but have also positioned her as an exemplary employee. Her actions on that fateful evening in December 2022 have been the cornerstone of her professional recognition.

In 2023, Dawna was recognized as Truck Hero of the Year by the Bridgestone and the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA). In 2022, she was honoured by The Erb Group’s employee safety program with the prestigious SupErb Award for exceeding her regular duties in exceptional ways. Furthermore, her remarkable hazard perception skills have been acknowledged with a Certificate of Excellence from Lytx, a leading provider of video safety and telematics solutions. Moreover, In December 2022, Dawna was named Driver of the Month by NAL Insurance. Dawna’s multitude of milestones underscores her outstanding abilities and commitment to ensuring safety on and off the road.

Since 1997, TCA’s Highway Angel program has recognized professional truck drivers who have selflessly helped others while on the job. Of each year’s recipients, one is selected as Highway Angel of the Year because they best embody the spirit of the program.

Learn more about Dawna’s story here or check out the details about the TCA Highway Angel program at www.highwayangel.org. The program is sponsored by EpicVue, Northland Insurance, and DriverFacts.