Phillipsburg, KS — Doyle Archer, the world’s oldest active truck driver, was seriously injured in a traffic accident that occurred yesterday morning on a rural Kansas highway. Archer, who recently made headlines for being recognized by Guinness World Records at age 90 for his long-standing trucking career, is currently receiving medical treatment following injuries that include trauma to his brain.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the accident happened around 8:45 a.m. on U.S. Route 36 near the outskirts of Phillipsburg. Witnesses say Archer’s semi-truck veered off the road for unknown reasons before colliding with a guardrail and coming to a stop in a shallow ditch. Emergency medical personnel arrived within minutes and transported Archer by ambulance to Phillips County Hospital before he was airlifted to a trauma center in Wichita for specialized care.
Hospital officials confirmed that Archer suffered multiple injuries, including a concussion and other signs of brain trauma. While doctors have not released detailed information about his prognosis, they say he remains under close observation in the intensive care unit.
The incident has sent ripples through the trucking community, which celebrated Archer earlier this year for his unprecedented safety record and commitment to the road. Over a career spanning more than 60 years and an estimated 5.5 million miles driven, Archer became a symbol of dedication, resilience, and a passion for trucking that defied age.
“He’s a legend around here,” said Tom Coomes, owner of Coomes Inc., the Kansas-based freight company Archer drove for. “Doyle has always said he doesn’t know the meaning of the word ‘retire.’ We’re all praying for his recovery and hoping he’ll pull through like he always has.”
Family members say Archer was alert and communicative shortly after the crash but began experiencing symptoms of disorientation and memory lapses several hours later. Doctors believe the delayed effects are consistent with a traumatic brain injury, often referred to as TBI.
“He’s a tough man, but this is serious,” said his granddaughter, Megan Archer. “We’re taking it one day at a time, and we appreciate all the love and prayers from people all across the country.”
State authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash and have not ruled out the possibility of a medical episode preceding the incident.
As of this morning, messages of support have poured in from fellow truckers, fans, and industry organizations across the nation. The American Trucking Associations issued a statement honoring Archer’s legacy and wishing him a speedy recovery.
More updates will follow as his conditionPhillipsburg, KS — Doyle Archer, the world’s oldest active truck driver, was seriously injured in a traffic accident that occurred yesterday morning on a rural Kansas highway. Archer, who recently made headlines for being recognized by Guinness World Records at age 90 for his long-standing trucking career, is currently receiving medical treatment following injuries that include trauma to his brain.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the accident happened around 8:45 a.m. on U.S. Route 36 near the outskirts of Phillipsburg. Witnesses say Archer’s semi-truck veered off the road for unknown reasons before colliding with a guardrail and coming to a stop in a shallow ditch. Emergency medical personnel arrived within minutes and transported Archer by ambulance to Phillips County Hospital before he was airlifted to a trauma center in Wichita for specialized care.
Hospital officials confirmed that Archer suffered multiple injuries, including a concussion and other signs of brain trauma. While doctors have not released detailed information about his prognosis, they say he remains under close observation in the intensive care unit.
The incident has sent ripples through the trucking community, which celebrated Archer earlier this year for his unprecedented safety record and commitment to the road. Over a career spanning more than 60 years and an estimated 5.5 million miles driven, Archer became a symbol of dedication, resilience, and a passion for trucking that defied age.
“He’s a legend around here,” said Tom Coomes, owner of Coomes Inc., the Kansas-based freight company Archer drove for. “Doyle has always said he doesn’t know the meaning of the word ‘retire.’ We’re all praying for his recovery and hoping he’ll pull through like he always has.”
Family members say Archer was alert and communicative shortly after the crash but began experiencing symptoms of disorientation and memory lapses several hours later. Doctors believe the delayed effects are consistent with a traumatic brain injury, often referred to as TBI.
“He’s a tough man, but this is serious,” said his granddaughter, Megan Archer. “We’re taking it one day at a time, and we appreciate all the love and prayers from people all across the country.”
State authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash and have not ruled out the possibility of a medical episode preceding the incident.
As of this morning, messages of support have poured in from fellow truckers, fans, and industry organizations across the nation. The American Trucking Associations issued a statement honoring Archer’s legacy and wishing him a speedy recovery.
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