IdleAire Intervenes on Behalf of Another Driver in Trouble
After suffering a ruptured appendix at the Troutville, Virginia TA recently, a driver for American Eagle Transport/FFE is expected to make a full recovery and be back behind the wheel. And fleet officials are thanking IdleAire for helping make it happen.

Joe Green with American Eagle said he came in to work one morning with an advisory to check on a driver who had been having problems the previous night. He called him, but the driver said he was feeling better and was pulling over at the TA.

Although repeatedly asked about his need for emergency care, the driver said all he needed was a little rest. The owner-operator of the unit sent to pick up the load, talked with the driver again and then headed out for the delivery.

Meanwhile, the fleet received a QualComm from the driver indicating he did need emergency medical care after all. The fleet’s first response was to try to contact the owner-operator, but he was already on the road. Before he left, however, he had asked the IdleAire staff to keep an eye on the ill driver.

When the driver started honking the truck horn and flashing the lights, IdleAire Site Rep and former rescue squad member, Mark Lilly, rushed to the truck and talked with him and his fleet dispatcher. Meanwhile, another Site Rep, Aaron Miller, called the ambulance and a third, John Kelly, went to the entrance to direct the ambulance to the right location. Upon arrival at the hospital the driver went right into surgery.

“If it hadn’t been for your folks, the outcome could have been much worse,” said American Eagle’s Joe Green. “We’re very appreciative of what you did. It was less than 10 minutes to get the ambulance there. That’s outstanding. And IdleAire collected the keys and kept an eye on the truck until we could pick it up.” 

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