A New York truck driver has been honored as a ‘highway hero’ for his courageous actions in a tense situation where he helped apprehend a shooter who had injured a police officer.
In June 2023, Timothy VanNostrand, who owns a logging transport company in Northville, New York, was driving on Interstate 88 when he noticed a state trooper approaching a vehicle he had pulled over. As VanNostrand prepared to pass, he witnessed the trooper suddenly move sideways, prompting him to pay closer attention.
“I wasn’t 100% sure what I saw at first,” VanNostrand recounted. “But then I saw the driver pull out a gun and start shooting from the back window at the trooper, which led to a chaotic 12-minute exchange of gunfire.”
In a decisive moment, VanNostrand maneuvered his logging truck in front of the shooter’s vehicle, effectively trapping him against the roadside and preventing his escape. The details surrounding the shooter’s fate were not disclosed, including whether he was captured or injured during the incident.
For his bravery, VanNostrand received recognition from both the New York State Police and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, being awarded the “Highway Hero” title. Joe Burke, vice president of Goodyear North America Commercial Business, emphasized the significance of this award in highlighting the vital role of commercial truck drivers in ensuring road safety and community well-being.
VanNostrand was presented with a cash prize and an opportunity to ride in the Goodyear blimp. Reflecting on the harrowing experience, he noted that while it felt like an eternity amid the gunfire, he believed he made the right choice in intervening. “Most of the people I know would have done the same thing,” he stated. “We all look out for each other.”