Schiotis Newest Hero of the Highway

THE OPEN ROAD FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF HERO OF THE HIGHWAY AWARD
Mike Schiotis Honored for Rescuing Woman from Violent Confrontation
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DALLAS, TX, November 28, 2011 – The Open Road Foundation today presented its Hero of the Highway Award to Mike Schiotis, an independent contractor for Panther Expedited, for his heroic role in the November 1st rescue of a Mount Pocono, PA, woman who was under attack alongside Interstate 380 in Pennsylvania.

The Open Road Foundation is a non-profit organization which provides victim assistance and supports educational and career development programs for the employees and professional independent contractor drivers of the transportation and logistics companies operating in the United States and Canada. The foundation was created by Fenway Partners in 2008. 

Mike Schiotis, a native of Spring Hill, TN, has been a professional independent contractor driver for Panther Expedited Services, Inc., for two years.   

While under load and northbound near mile marker 8 at around 9 p.m., Schiotis noticed two cars on the side of the road. Thinking it was an accident, he moved to the far left lane and noticed a woman waving her arms back and forth. Thinking someone might be hurt, he decided to stop and then sees a man walking after her with a gun that was pointed at the woman. 

The woman approached his truck and began banging on the door. According to police reports, her attacker then followed after her, allegedly striking the victim with a gun. Schiotis jumped out of his truck and separated the woman from the attacker. The woman jumped into his truck through the open door and he quickly followed. Schiotis, with the woman in the cab, left the scene immediately. He notified authorities through 9-1-1 who told him to go to a nearby truckstop. But the drama didn’t end there. 

The suspect apparently followed Schiotis’ truck to the truckstop so he returned to the interstate where he teamed up with another unidentified trucker to create a moving roadblock until authorities were able to catch up and take the suspect into custody. 

Police arrested Elvino Cagnardi and he was charged with attempted homicide and jailed in Monroe County in connection with the incident.  

“What Mike did was a true act of courage and valor,” stated Andrew Clarke, President and Chief Executive Officer of Panther. “We are extremely proud that such an act of heroism came from a member of the Panther family.” 

Bill Webb, President of The Open Road Foundation, added, “Mike’s act of bravery and self-sacrifice captures the essence of the Hero of the Highway Award.

This was the first Hero of the Highway awarded this year by the Foundation and only the fourth since the organization started.

The Hero of the Highway Award was presented today during a ceremony at Panther’s corporate headquarters in Seville, Ohio. In addition to a $500 cash award, Mr. Schiotis was presented a custom watch from The Open Road Foundation. 

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About The Open Road Foundation

The Open Road Foundation was established in 2008 by Fenway Partners to develop and administer a victim assistance fund to support eligible employees and professional independent contractor drivers impacted by disaster and/or unfortunate personal circumstances.  Additionally, The Open Road Foundation provides annual educational scholarships to eligible employees, professional independent contractor drivers, and/or their dependents who are enrolled in or applying to accredited colleges, junior colleges, and vocational schools. The Open Road Foundation is a Texas-based Corporation and is organized as a public charitable foundation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. For more information, visit www.openroadfoundation.com.