Heroism on the Highway
Not every hero dons a cape; sometimes, a truck is the vehicle of bravery. Jason Corino, a 50-year-old truck driver from Deltona, has been named a highway angel by the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) for his courageous actions during a traffic stop shooting in Colorado last year. He vividly remembers the gunfight between a suspect and a police sergeant, describing it as playing out “like slow motion” in his mind.
Nominated for Highway Angel of the Year
Corino, a retired U.S. Army veteran, is one of five nominees for the Highway Angel of the Year award. The TCA is encouraging the public to support his nomination by voting online at this link. Claire Girard, marketing coordinator for TCA, expressed the organization’s desire for community support in promoting Corino’s story.
Support from the Trucking Community
Corino is employed by Melton Truck Lines of Tulsa, Oklahoma, which also released a Facebook post endorsing him for the award. The post highlighted his bravery during the tragedy on November 29, 2023, which saved lives on the highways.
Details of the Incident
The TCA detailed Corino’s heroic act, citing that on the morning of November 29, 2023, he was driving on U.S. Highway 491 in Cortez, Colorado. A shooting began around 11:25 a.m. when Police Sgt. Michael Moran stopped Jason Campbell after reports of reckless driving. Tragically, Sergeant Moran was shot and killed during the altercation.
Challenges on the Road
On that fateful morning, Corino was driving a truck loaded with doors. He attempted to merge onto U.S. 491 when he encountered a car involved in a road rage incident, which cut him off. Observing Sergeant Moran pursuing the suspect, Corino managed to shift into the right lane but later saw the police car had stopped the suspect’s vehicle. Due to the lack of a proper shoulder, he had to navigate carefully past the stopped cars.
Actions Under Fire
When gunfire erupted, Corino quickly reacted by slamming on his brakes to halt traffic behind him. He positioned his semi-trailer to shield others from gunfire, stating, “I used my truck to shield the traffic behind me from getting hit by the bullets.” He activated the dashboard camera, which captured footage of the gunfight, serving as critical evidence afterwards.
A Hero’s Reflection
Despite his life-saving actions, Corino modestly doesn’t view himself as a hero. Acknowledging the impact of his military training and his experience with PTSD, he described the emotional toll of witnessing the shooting: “After my adrenaline came down, I kind of broke down. I was shaking.” Corino continues to check on the status of the fallen officer, feeling a deep sense of honor mixed with sorrow.
