The Ontario Trucking Association says David Virgoe, the truck driver who died earlier this week in a crash caused by street racers on Highway 400, is a true hero and is honouring his memory by establishing a scholarship endowment of $40,000 for children of Ontario truck drivers who are killed or seriously injured on the job.

The announcement was made today in Gananoque, where the OTA board of directors is meeting.

 “Mr. Virgoe's selfless act and the kind of person he was epitomizes all that is good about the trucking industry. He was a model trucker, always willing to stop and provide assistance at roadside, a father, a grandfather and a decent human being,” said David Bradley, president of the association.

“He, like all truck drivers, faced risks every day he was out on the road. Sadly, he made the supreme sacrifice because of the reckless actions of a few others. But, in doing so, he saved the lives of others.”

The perpetual scholarship fund will be administered by the OTA Education Foundation, established by the association to provide scholarships to children of trucking industry families to help pay for post-secondary education.