Thursday, November 5, 2026

Alaska Highway Hero

When a serious collision left two travellers stranded on a remote stretch of highway, Local 68 member Todd Williams went the extra mile to help.

Guide Magazine

For Todd Williams, helping people is simply part of who he is.

Last winter, while working as a snowplow operator for Ledcor Road Maintenance Ltd. along BC’s remote Alaska Highway corridor, Todd found himself in the right place at the right time when a collision involving an impaired driver left a young woman and her father stranded far from help.

Although Todd was technically off duty, he had stepped in to cover part of a coworker’s route that morning. Later, while finishing some work at a nearby maintenance shop, he noticed emergency vehicles heading north on the highway. Curious and concerned, he headed in the same direction and soon arrived at the scene.

The crash had occurred in a particularly isolated area with no cell service. Fortunately, Todd’s truck was equipped with Starlink Internet and radio communications, allowing him to help emergency responders stay connected. His coworker had already assisted the occupants of one vehicle and moved them to safety while traffic was being controlled on a steep section of highway.

As the situation unfolded, Todd learned that a young woman and her father were in the middle of a move from Edmonton to Whitehorse when their vehicle was struck. Their car was no longer drivable, and they were worried about their belongings and how they would continue their journey.

“I just looked at the situation and thought, if it were me, I’d hope somebody would help,” says Todd.

Without hesitation, he emptied his truck of tools and equipment, loaded their belongings, and offered them a ride to Fort St. John—more than two hours away.

During the drive, Todd helped them navigate the next steps following the collision. He assisted them in obtaining information they needed for insurance claims, helped them contact the appropriate people, and pointed them toward transportation options that would get them safely back on the road.

By the end of the day, the pair had secured a rental vehicle and were able to continue their trip.

“They offered to buy me dinner and all that,” says Todd with a laugh. “But I was just happy they were safe and on their way.”

Todd credits one of his fellow Local 68 coworkers for being one of the first people on scene and helping ensure everyone was safe. Like many highway maintenance workers, Todd and his team routinely encounter motorists in difficult situations while working in some of the most remote regions of the province.

Based near Sikanni Chief, BC, Todd and his coworkers maintain a long section of the Alaska Highway under a federal contract. During the winter season, crews patrol the highway daily beginning at 5 a.m.: plowing snow, sanding icy roads, responding to hazards, and helping keep one of Canada’s most important transportation routes open and safe.

Originally from Saint John, New Brunswick, Todd returned to western Canada last year after spotting the plow operator position online. With a background that ranges from oil and gas operations to concert sound production, he says he enjoys the independence and responsibility that comes with highway maintenance work.

“It’s my first year driving a plow truck, and I really enjoy it,” he says. “I like being out there.”

For Todd, the events of that day weren’t anything extraordinary. They were simply what needed to be done.

But for the travellers whose lives were suddenly turned upside down, the kindness shown by Todd and his coworker made all the difference.

Alaska Highway Hero

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