I assisted others providing aid to 4 passengers in a Jeep Cherokee on Apr 8, 2023 - a mother with her 3 children: 13-15 y.o. boy and girl, and an infant.

As a truck driver for nearly 5 years, I have witnessed a lot. I have also learned a lot. I've learned that we, truck drivers, have a great responsibility. We are expected to pick up and deliver goods with precision, reliability, and dependability.

It doesn't end there, however. We are expected to provide this service with a focus on safety. We are expected to be away from our families for weeks at a time. We are expected to be providers. We are expected to return home just as we'd left - in one piece.

But there is something else, we are guardians of the highway. We drive for our safety, and for the safety of the motoring public. For that purpose, here is my story:

I was heading north on Spur 185 toward I-85 south of Atlanta, rolling at 78,800 pounds. My navigation had already alerted me to the slow ttraffic 3-4 miles ahead at the 185/85 northbound merge, South of Atlanta.

As I neared the curve where 185 splits, I observed brake lights about 1/2 mile ahead. It was wet and had been raining all day. I had already been slowing; my speed now about 55. By the time I entered the curve, I was at about 45 mph - the posted speed limit at 70.

Since I sit about 6' above everyone else, I can survey the conditions ahead. Traffic had slowed as I'd expected, still 1/2 mile ahead. Brake lights were visible and cars were backing up.

Unfortunately, the driver of the Jeep didn't see all that I had. She drove into the rear of another vehicle. In all, about 4 vehicles were involved in the chain reaction.

I slowed further and cautioned others around me. I pulled up, blocking the two lanes, set out traffic triangles, and grabbed my fire extinguisher.

Other Samaritans were already surveying the damage, working on getting doors open to extract the children. We triaged what we could as laymen, people just trying to help the kids and comfort the others.

I'm asking for your generous donation for the kids' medical expenses and hopefully to help them out a little in the future. I've been in touch with the grandmother and I will work with her to make sure the funds go directly to assisting those kids. The driver will have this burden on her heart for decades. We all need grace, and now is the time for these kids.

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