Truck driver earns third Highway Angel award for stepping in to help woman being abused at truck stop

RADFORD, Va. (WDBJ/Gray News) — A truck driver from Virginia has received his third Highway Angel award, an honor given by the trucking industry to drivers who go above and beyond to help people in need.

Keith Rahn has been a truck driver for nine years.

“I just saw it as a job and it turned into a passion,” Rahn said.

In August, Rahn stopped at a truck stop near Salt Lake City to walk his dog. He witnessed a man hit a woman during an argument.

“And there was an argument, which, I mean, you can hear him yelling. It’s not my business. I was going to stay out of it. But when I saw him reach back and swing, I knew I had to do something,” Rahn said.

Rahn stepped in, made sure the man left and got the woman to safety.

“It was just being in the right place at the right time,” Rahn said.

Rahn said the incident led to his third Highway Angel award.

“I don’t classify it as being heroic. It’s things that we as people need to do to look out for each other,” Rahn said.

Rahn said driving a truck comes with responsibility.

“I’m driving 40 tons of steel going down the highway. If somebody messes up and they’re drunk, or they do something irrational on the highway, I can kill somebody with this truck. And I don’t want that,” Rahn said.

Rahn said that responsibility applies to how he treats others on the road.

“I don’t care where you’re from. What you look like. What your political beliefs are. I don’t care about your skin color. Any of that. You’re a person. And a person deserves respect,” Rahn said.