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America's Road Team captain dies In fiery crash

An America's Road Team member and his team partner were killed in a crash while on their regular run from Virginia to Dallas and back.


Tony Sifford, a driver for FedEx Ground and a captain on the 2007-2008 American Trucking Associations' America's Road Team, lost his life in a crash on I-20 near Ruston, La., last week.


According to published reports, another tractor-trailer carrying two large generators used during Hurricane Ike relief was traveling eastbound. The truck had possible mechanical problems and was going at a slow rate of speed when it was struck by the FedEx 18-wheeler, which was attempting to change lanes. The FedEx truck burst into flames, and the crash closed portions of Interstate 20 most of the day. Sifford, who was driving, was pronounced dead at the scene.


Sifford, 41, of Hillsville, Va., had been driving for 10 years and was known for his outstanding work, both for FedEx and with groups such as the America's Road Team, the North Carolina Road Team, and Trucker Buddy Inernational.


ATA President and CEO Bill Graves said "Sifford was devoted to the trucking industry, accumulating 1.8 million accident free miles during his 14-year career. But more importantly, Tony was a part of the ATA family, a dedicated Road Team Captain and an amazing person. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."


His team partner, Rodney Palmer, 38, of Martinsville, Va., suffered severe burns and was airlifted to LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, where he died the next day.


The driver of the other truck suffered minor injuries. He was cited for log book violations.