The 2018 Louisiana Motor Transport Association (LMTA) Truck Driving Championships were held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on March 23-24. 99 drivers totaling approximately 160 million miles, participated in this year’s event.
The event consisted of nine classes: Step-Van, Straight Truck, 3-Axle Van, 4-Axle Van, 5-Axle Van, 5-Axle Tank, 5-Axle Flatbed, 5-Axle Sleeper and Twin Trailers. Trophies were awarded to the First, Second and Third Place winners in each class. Also recognized at the Safety Banquet were the Mechanics Award, Rookie of the Year, Team Award and overall Grand Champion.
All first place winners will represent LMTA, and the state of Louisiana, at the 2018 ATA National Truck Driving Championships in Columbus, OH on August 15-18.
2018 Truck Driving Championships Winners
Straight Truck
1st Place
Leroy Williams, Zachary
XPO Logistics
2nd Place
Michael Brian, Bossier City
FedEx Freight
3rd Place
Robert Carter, Homer
FedEx Freight
3 Axle Van
1st Place
Eric Courville, Breaux Bridge
FedEx Freight
2nd Place
Donald Melancon, Baton Rouge
Walmart Transportation
3rd Place
Thomas Steen, Calhoun
Old Dominion Freight Line
4 Axle Van
1st Place
Louis Scaruffi, Kenner
C & S Wholesale Grocers
2nd Place
Corey Mitchell, Stonewall
FedEx Freight
3rd Place
Guy Dodson, Shreveport
XPO Logistics
5 Axle Van
1st Place
Larry Peltier, Brusley
Martin Brower
2nd Place
Glen Winston, Mandeville
C & S Wholesale Grocers
3rd Place
Lyle Trahan, Hammond
Walmart Transportation
5 Axle Tank
1st Place
Milton Hebert, Lafayette
FedEx Freight
2nd Place
Curtis McMellon, West Monroe
XPO Logistics
3rd Place
Donald Glover, Opelousas
Walmart Transportation
5 Axle Flatbed
1st Place
Joseph Vital, Port Allen
FedEx Freight
2nd Place
Joseph Brown, Zachary
FedEx Freight
3rd Place
Larry Smith, Baton Rouge
XPO Logistics
Twins
1st Place
Damien Hebert, Lafayette
XPO Logistics
2nd Place
Henry Bruster, Woodville, MS
UPS Freight
3rd Place
Larry Clark, Baton Rouge
AAA Cooper Transportation
Sleeper
1st Place
Chad Rudesill, Hammond
FedEx Ground
2nd Place
Edward Free, Port Allen
Martin Brower
3rd Place
Johnnie Long, West Monroe
Walmart Transportation
Step Van
1st Place
Donald G. Williams, West Monroe
FedEx Ground
2nd Place
Andrea Nixon, Prairieville
FedEx Ground
3rd Place
Robin Butler, Baton Rouge
FedEx Ground
Mechanics Award:
Leslie Gamble, Shreveport
FedEx Freight
Rookie of the Year:
Warren Little, Shreveport
FedEx Freight
Team Trophy:
XPO Logistics
Grand Champion:
Eric Courville, Breaux Bridge
FedEx Freight
2018 Safety Professional of the Year 
John Neal
Hercules Transport, Inc./O’nealgas
John Neal, our 2018 Safety Professional of the Year, has an outstanding commitment to safety and is well respected among his peers and the enforcement community. John plays a vital role in the quest for continued improvement in safety and compliance for his company.
John is an active member of numerous safety and transportation organizations and stays well informed of any changes in the industry. He leads his company in the Responsible Care Program which increases their efficiency and safety. John’s ability to effectively communicate and lead is second to none. His passion for research enables his company to comply with the ever-changing rules and regulations of the transportation industry. Through his unique prospective, molded by his many years in transportation safety, John is able to offer real-world application to create greater understanding during the training process.
After obtaining his degree in Personnel Management from Louisiana Tech University, our John began his career drawing extensive knowledge of the law from his 3 years of service with his local city Police Department and 25 years of service with the Louisiana State Police.
Not only is he an all-around upstanding citizen, his local community now views John as a real hero since he rescued a small child from drowning in his neighborhood in April of this year.
John has two children, Brody and Harper, and one stepson, Trevor. He and his wife, Janet, reside in Ruston, Louisiana.
LMTA is proud to recognize John Neal with Hercules Transport/O’Nealgas as the 2018 LMTA Safety Professional of Year.
2018 Driver of the Year
Louis Scaruffi
C & S Wholesale Services
Louis Scaruffi, LMTAs 2017 Driver of the Year, has been driving for his present company for over 36 years – generating more than 2.1 million miles. Added to the accident free miles from his previous employer, Louis has a total of 2.5 million safe driving miles over a career of 40 years!
He has participated in numerous local, regional and state truck driving competitions and is very proud to have made it to the ATA National Truck Driving Championships.
Louis is a very courteous driver and has stopped several times over the years to assist motorists in need. He also makes it a point to remove debris from the highway to prevent possible accidents. Louis is truly dedicated to making our roadways safe for all motorists.
Louis Scaruffi is very involved in this local church and volunteers as a mentor for the “Kid’s Hope” program. He and his wife Maria have six children, including one set of twins.
We are proud to honor Louis Scaruffi with C & S Wholesale Services as the 2018 LMTA Driver of the Year.
2018 Driver of the Year
Joe Monson
Bengal Transportation Services
Joe Monson with Bengal Transporation Services was also recognized as our 2018 Driver of the Year. Joe has over 45 years of driving experience with over 4 million accident free miles.
Joe started out in the transportation industry at the age of 18, driving a winch truck. He has held many positions within the trucking industry, you name it, and he has probably been a part of it, especially if it deals with heavy haul. He is called the King of Heavy Haul – the best of the best!
Back in the 90’s, Joe received the “Rookie of the Year” award for the LMTA Truck Driving Championships. He was confident that he would do the best job he possibly could, and with that winning attitude, he won!
Joe has hauled some big loads, one over 300 feet long, 28 feet wide and 25 feet high. He has hauled oversized and overweight, driving flatbed, lowboy, 13 axles, turntables, along with steering the dolly, dealing with securement, tie downs, outside traffic and distractions, overseeing over 16 drivers on a project, as well as mentoring his trainees emotionally and giving them the knowledge needed to become leaders in the transportation industry.
Does Joe plan on retiring from the industry that he loves? Maybe one day, but for now he continues doing his job with commitment, pride and respect. For over 18 years he has had the unwavering support of his wife Janel, whom he refers to as his best friend, and his two beautiful girls, Shannon and Danielle. Joe and his family are members of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Denham Springs, LA.
While not on the road, Joe enjoys riding his Harley, rebuilding his 1985 Chevy truck, and his most important hobby of all time would be spending time with his family.
We are proud to honor Joe Monson with Bengal Transportation Services as the 2018 LMTA Driver of the Year.
LMTA Transportation Safety Section Trooper of the Year
Senior Trooper James Foster
LMTAs 2018 Trooper of the Year, Senior Trooper James Foster, embodies the State Police motto of Courtesy, Loyalty and Service.
In late 2017, dispatchers advised all units to BOLO for a green Ford Crown Victoria that had been involved in a kidnapping. A female had been kidnapped and was possibly with the subject in a central LA Parish. The female had been kidnapped on her way to work, had not been heard from since and had possibly been transported to an adjoining parish.
Tactical officers from the United States Marshall’s Task Force, Louisiana State Police, local Sheriff’s Office and Police Department were simultaneously developing a plan to get close to a residence in the area where the suspect was believed to have lived. Officers on the scene had formulated a plan to have State Police Air fly over the residence in an attempt to see if the vehicle could be located.
Senior Trooper Foster positioned his unit to intercept the kidnapper in the event the air unit observed the vehicle. As the air unit approached a vehicle closely matching that used by the alleged kidnapper pulled out from behind an abandoned residence in the area. Indicators led officers to believe that the vehicle was in fact the BOLO vehicle. Once all assets were in place, Senior Trooper Foster attempted to conduct a traffic stop.
The driver failed to stop and continued to travel into the adjacent Parish where he jumped from the moving vehicle and fled into the woods. The suspect vehicle came to a stop after the kidnapped victim jumped into the driver’s seat and put it into park. With the assistance of others, Senior Trooper Foster apprehended the suspect shortly after the foot pursuit began.
Senior Trooper James Foster’s quick actions and training helped bring a safe conclusion to an extremely dangerous situation.
LMTA is proud to recognize Senior Trooper James Foster as the 2018 LMTA Trooper of the Year.
LMTA Weight Enforcement Officer of the Year
Officer Stephyn Prine
Officer Stephyn Prine, LMTAs 2018 Weight Enforcement Officer of the Year, exemplifies the dedication of a true public servant.
In early 2017, Officer Prine was on patrol when he received a phone call in reference to a previous complaint of a suspicious person in a rural community. He was advised that a male dressed in a camouflage jacket and black combat BDU bottoms was standing in the middle of the highway.
Upon arrival in the area, Officer Prine radioed his location and situation to the local Troop. He then approached the subject, who was still standing in the middle of the road. Officer Prine drew his service weapon and advised the subject to stop and show his hands. The subject stopped and turned his back to the officer. The subject was ordered to drop the weapon. The subject then concealed the weapon, a machete, between his shirt and jacket, in the center of his back, then laid on his stomach further concealing his arms and hands under his body. The subject then began shouting “I’m a marine and you are going to jail for your sins.” Officer Prine continued to order the subject to throw the machete away from his location. Additional assistance then arrived on the scene and were able to take the subject into custody without incident.
Further investigation revealed the subject to have a history of mental issues and violence. The subject was transported for local mental treatment.
Our Weight Enforcement Officer of the Year’s composure and quick thinking defused a potentially deadly situation.
LMTA is proud to recognize Officer Stephyn Prine as the 2018 LMTA Weight Enforcement Officer of the Year.
Truck Driving Championships Sponsors
AAA Cooper Transportation, Dothan, AL
Associated Grocers, Baton Rouge
C & S Wholesale Grocers, Hammond
FedEx Freight, Houston, TX
FedEx Ground, Eldorado, AR
Great West Casualty Company, Arlington, TX
Haynes Motor Lines, Baton Rouge
Hercules Transport, Choudrant
Martin Brower, Walker
Old Dominion Freight Line, Memphis, TN
Walmart Transportation, Opelousas
XPO Logistics, Port Allen
Equipment Provided By
AAA Cooper Transportation
Bengal Transportation
C & S Wholesale Grocers
Dupre` Logistics
Ergon Trucking
FedEx Freight
FedEx Express
Martin Brower
Old Dominion Freight Line
Penske Truck Leasing
UPS Freight
Walmart Transportation
XPO Logistics
YRC Freight
