Arrow Trucking's "Momma Donna" Tracked Down Stranded Drivers

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- Nearly three weeks after its demise, former Arrow Trucking employees say all of their drivers are finally accounted for.

Hundreds were stranded across the country when the company collapsed several days before Christmas.

A team of volunteers worked tirelessly to track down truckers despite the challenges they are facing in their own lives.

Donna Creekmore, Former Arrow Employee, "So when Doug did what he did, it was just total collapse for everyone because we were family."

After the initial shock of Arrow's sudden demise wore off, Donna Creekmore says she went right to work.

As the company's Driver Advocate, she had access to the contact list for Arrow's drivers. Creekmore began making some calls.

"We were a family and our drivers were our kids. I looked at them as they were our babies. My guys called me momma Donna. So when Arrow went under, I couldn't go home," Creekmore said.

Creekmore says her efforts to find stranded drivers kept her up for four straight days.

Besides the phone calls, she and other volunteers also utilized social networking.

A Facebook page quickly popped up.

Posters were able to offer information about drivers' whereabouts, other trucking companies that might be hiring, and advice for those suddenly stuck without insurance.

There have also been notes of encouragement from people who have nothing to do with the trucking industry.

"There's no way to truly express how incredible they are, the fantastic job they've done giving these guys the little bit of hope they've got now," Creekmore said.

The hard work has paid off. According to Creekmore, the last missing driver was finally found Thursday but it's taken its toll on her.

She was hospitalized for several days after coming down with bronchitis and pneumonia. Still, she says she'll continue with the volunteer effort, until every driver has a new job.

"They called me Momma Donna. That takes a hell of a lot to earn that type of respect from that many drivers and I won't let them down," Creekmore said.

Her daughter says even while in the hospital, Creekmore asked for her cell phone so she could contact drivers.

Coincidentally, her husband was also hospitalized at the same time because of his health issues.

They are without insurance and unsure how they will pay their medical bills.

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