Hello,

I am the Safety Director for Long Haul Trucking in Albertville, MN and would like you to read the letter we received today "letter below." A lot of times we hear about bad this that happens, but we really think this is a worthwhile story to be told. 

Mark Theis, Safety Director; Long Haul Trucking,

6600 Jansen Ave., Albertville, MN 55301

Dear Mr. Daniels,  

We are writing to advise you of a situation of heroic proportions that occurred on the evening of February 3rd, 2011.  One of your drivers, John Crozman, quite literally saved our lives on I-29 outside of Summit, SD.  John put his own life in danger at a rest stop access at Exit 213 where my husband and I were stranded in our vehicle in a terrifying snowstorm.  Although we thought we were equipped for such a situation, we were sorely mistaken.  We had been trapped in our vehicle on the hill for approximately 4 hours while winds of 45 – 60 mph rocked our vehicle.  The wind chill was recorded at approximately –60 degrees. There were groups of vehicles a mile ahead of us and a half-mile behind (safety in numbers), but we were alone. We were near hypothermic when we saw a gentleman struggling through the snow and wind to check on us.  John had been making his way back to a truck stop in Summit when he saw a candle flickering in our vehicle and made the life-saving decision to check out the situation.    When we opened our door to him, we were shivering uncontrollably and terribly frightened.  Fighting strong sub-zero winds, John led us to his vehicle, ensured that we were okay, and continued to make his way back to the truck stop.  He not only escorted us into the truck stop and made sure that we had hot coffee, but put us up in his warm vehicle for the night, giving up his bed to us.  The next day, he made sure that our vehicle was rescued prior to making his own way to deliver his load. 

  We have always had the utmost respect for those individuals involved in the trucking industry, and now we owe our lives to one of them.  John is a humble man who did not want us to make a fuss over him, however, we know that we must relay this information and have him receive the recognition he deserves.  John is a fine man – he is our hero and we will never forget what he did for us on that frigid night on I-29.  John speaks very highly of the company he represents and of the individuals with whom he works. 

  My husband and I are retired from the education system in Manitoba.  We were returning from a cycling vacation in Arizona at the time, and thanks to John, we are warm, safe and well in a hotel room and almost home.  Upon our return home to Winnipeg, we will follow up this email with a letter that we hope you will kindly forward to John on our behalf. 

Thank you again John, and thank you Long Haul Trucking for having this fine gentleman in your employ.  God Bless, we are forever in your debt!  

Respectfully yours,  

Thomas John Fischer & Mary Lynne Montgomery Fischer