SASKATOON, Sask. -- Gyslain 'Juice' Lemelin, a driver for N. Yanke Transfer, has been named a Highway Angel by the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) after he helped save a couple and their belongings from their burning pick-up truck.
Lemelin was driving on the Trans-Canada Highway on Oct. 23 of this year when he passed to motorists in a pick-up, who were travelling with their two dogs and pulling a camper.
As they passed Lemelin, he recognized the burning, chemical-like odour of a burning transmission.
"I had a feeling they weren't going to get very far," said Lemelin, who has had training as a mechanic. "I've smelled that smell before. I knew it was the transmission - transmission fluid is highly flammable."
Lemelin decided to follow the vehicle and soon after, he saw a puff of white smoke and knew they were in trouble. Lemelin pulled up to the vehicle and by then flames had spread all over the pick-up truck's hood. The battery was melting and the ground underneath the truck was on fire.
Lemelin used his fire extinguisher to put out the blaze while the motorists removed their valuables from the camper. He then remained at the scene and let them use his cell phone to call for help.
The motorists later wrote a letter to N. Yanke Transfer, praising Lemelin for his actions.
"Please tell (Lemelin) that random acts of kindness don't go without notice, and we are both grateful that he didn't just drive on by like everyone else," they wrote.
