Ever since she was a little girl and heard the sound of the jake brake, Robin always knew that she wanted to drive a tractor trailer. What she didn’t know, is that one day she would be driving a truck and coming to the aid of another driver in an emergency situation.
CRST Expedited driver, Robin Maisel, rushed to action last week and assisted another truck driver during an unexpected medical episode at a Love’s Travel Stop near Amarillo, Texas. Robin was parked and taking a DOT break when suddenly, she saw another truck come flying into the fuel station. She witnessed the driver plow over a row of fuel pumps and the truck finally came to a rest when it hit the truck one space over from where she was parked.
Robin noticed the driver of the truck had fallen over in his seat. Her instincts immediately kicked in. Robin utilized her 20 years of nursing experience and ensured the driver was breathing, checked his pulse, and assessed his condition while she waited for the emergency medical technicians to arrive. She stayed with the driver the entire time and corresponded with the medical team so they would know the next steps to take when they arrived.
Robin is no stranger to unexpected medical situations, but nothing can really prepare you for when one of those situations hits home. While working as a hospice nurse three years ago, Robin was diagnosed with breast cancer. She didn’t let that get in the way of her dream of becoming a truck driver though. As Robin once told her colleagues, “I’m going to drive a truck one day.” Now she is doing that and more. As a cancer survivor, Robin told me she loves to be out seeing the country. “It’s an adventure out here,” she said. Robin believes the situation last week is one of the reasons she’s out on the road.
This driver was very lucky he crossed paths with Robin on this day as she had the training and skill to assist a fellow truck driver on the road. “I was thankful the driver was not out on the interstate when this occurred,” she said. Thankfully, the driver was okay and proper medical action was taken. Robin felt the driver may have been worn out and needed to take a break, which is very important for OTR drivers.
Robin understands the hard work and challenges that come along with being an OTR driver. She is celebrating her 6-month anniversary with CRST and it sounds like there are great things to come as she continues her career. Robin credits her driver manager, Bill Heims, who she describes as amazing. She now has her sights set on possibly becoming a lead driver for CRST.
We thank Robin for her quick reaction and helping another driver in need. We are honored to have a driver like her representing CRST on the road!
