Maumee FedEx driver earns national award for saving motorist

7/16/2008

Damian Morgan neared Oregon on I-280, about 10 minutes into his daily FedEx route to Brookville, Pa., when he noticed traffic on the expressway was slowing down.

A car had run into the interstate's left wall, and then ricocheted into the right wall. The car was on fire, and a woman was pinned inside between the floor and the dashboard.

Mr. Morgan, a 38-year-old Maumee resident, pulled his freight truck to the side of the road, grabbed his fire extinguisher, put out the fire, called 911, and waited with the woman until medical help arrived.

"I felt like I needed to be there. I didn't even have to think twice about it," Mr. Morgan said.

The woman was taken to the hospital in serious condition, and survived.

Last week, FedEx awarded Mr. Morgan with its national Humanitarian Award, an honor bestowed upon employees who go beyond their duties to help people, especially in life-threatening situations. The company identifies special acts that "promote human welfare and community responsibility."

FedEx recognized Mr. Morgan with a trophy and letters of recognition signed by top FedEx Freight executives.

Last year, the award was given to 41 drivers in the FedEx freight segment. So far, three of the awards have been given out this year.

Mr. Morgan and his wife of 12 years, Rae, 38, have a 1-year-old son, Ethan.

Mr. Morgan graduated from Woodward High School in 1989, where he was drum major in the school's band, and said he "pretty much knew I wanted to be a truck driver."

Phil Harper, service-center manager for the Toledo office of FedEx freight, said Mr. Morgan is "an extremely professional driver" and said he wasn't surprised by his life-saving efforts.

Mr. Morgan may be lauded for his heroic efforts, but being a father to Ethan is the role he cherishes most. "It's having someone who can't wait for you to come home," Mr. Morgan said.

Contact Meredith Byers at:

mbyers@theblade.com

or 419-724-6101.