AKRON, OH – As finalists for Goodyear’s 24th annual North America Highway Hero Award, three professional truck drivers battled flames to pull victims from their burning vehicles in as many Arizona accidents, and one driver came to the rescue of a Minneapolis Metro Transit police officer who was attacked by a suspect in a drug deal. Elizabeth Pavlista, of Miami, Ariz.; Edward Regener, of Perres, Calif.; Richard Miner, of Phoenix; and Marlon Marum, of Burnsville, Minn. were named finalists for the award.

Although it’s not unusual for a woman truck driver to be a finalist for this award, having two drivers from one city — in this case, Phoenix — has never happened. Equally unique, three of the accidents occurred in one state — Arizona.

Journalists from the trucking industry are now voting on the four finalists, who will be introduced Mar. 22 at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky. One driver will be named the 2006 Goodyear North America Highway Hero at the Truck Writers of North America annual banquet and receive a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond, a plaque, and a specially designed ring; the other finalists will receive a $5,000 U.S. Savings Bond and a plaque.

Founded by Goodyear in 1983, the Highway Hero program recognizes professional truck drivers and the often unnoticed, life-saving rescues and roadside assistance they provide as their jobs take them across North America.