The 21st annual Goodyear North America Highway Hero is a Virginia truck driver who saved the life of an individual deliberately set on fire, then helped police locate and arrest the person charged with the crime.

Derrick Harris, a driver for Schneider National Carriers, accepted the award and a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond during the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, KY.

On Nov. 12, 2003, Harris, a professional truck driver from Hopewell, VA, had just left the Richmond area with a load that was headed to Knoxville, TN, when he noticed a fire near the side of the road. Realizing it was actually a person on fire, he drove to the person, stopped and secured his truck, then grabbed a blanket and cooler of water. He extinguished the fire by wrapping the person in the blanket, then soaking it with water.

Harris then ran back to his truck, grabbed his fire extinguisher and put out a fire that had started in some surrounding trees. While extinguishing the fire, he noticed a container that smelled like kerosene. Harris stayed with the victim, trying to keep him conscious and comfortable while he called for help on his cell phone and awaited emergency response.

Based on comments from the burn victim and other observations in the area, Harris suggested to the responding local police that it appeared someone had deliberately set the man on fire. With this information, police began searching the woods, and found a suspect within three hours. The suspect admitted the next day to setting the other man on fire. Though the victim suffered burns over 60 percent of his body, Harris' quick actions helped save his life, and he was integral in finding the person who was responsible.

Harris, a driver with Schneider since October 2002, also was recognized by his employer with Schneider's Presidential Citation Award.

Founded by Goodyear in 1983, the Highway Hero program recognizes professional truck drivers and the often unnoticed, life-saving rescues and roadside assistance they provide as their jobs take them across North America.

Harris was one of four truck drivers named finalists for the award. Other finalists included: David Dunham, Fitchburg, MA; Joe Sines, Horse Shoe Run, WV; and Anne Spriggs, Willow Springs, MO.

To nominate a professional truck driver for the Goodyear Highway Hero Award, visit www.highwayhero.net.

For more information on events and announcements from the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, please click on the link on the Land Line home page, www.landlinemag.com.