Big rigs lined the quarter-mile track at St. Thomas Dragway in memory of two truckers who recently passed away. The People’s Choice Award was handed to the family of Tyler Kruppe who was killed on Highway 403 in a three-vehicle crash in May, 2026. “To see how many people come out to support him, love him, it means the world to us,” said Alexia Harder, his widowed fiancé. The driver for Cromwell Trucking was on his way back to their home base in Thames Centre when the crash happened near Paris, Ont. in Brant County. “He was supposed to be coming home that night,” said Harder. “I have life 360 [a smart phone app] on him, so I got the notification and in an instant I knew. From then on, it’s just kind of living for him.” Scott Cromwell has attended the Big Rig Nationals event at the Dragway in the past, but this time was under much different circumstances. “He’d be very proud and glad he got me out here again,” said Cromwell, the owner of Cromwell Trucking and his former employer. “He got me to polish the truck just to come out here.” Kruppe, 30, from St. Thomas, Ont. loved his rig, and many other outdoor sports. His father Stuart, as well as other family and friends were on hand for the tribute. “A lot has changed in the trucking world, that but it was always a tight knit community,” said Cromwell. “It was like that when I was a kid with my dad and the guys that he worked with. This year a lot of people have reached out and come together, and it just gives me a lot of hope that we’re still in a good place in the trucking world here in Canada.” Both Kruppe’s father and Cromwell told CTV News they are still awaiting the details of the cause of the crash. The memorial ride also recognized the founder of Trucking For a Cure (TFAC). Joanne Millen MacKenzie passed away in 2004 after a long illness. “Joanne was larger than life,” said Gia Conlin-Pereira, community and event organizer for TFAC. “Joanne hosted the convoy for Trucking For A Cure, which raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. Then when we weren’t able to do the convoy anymore, she created Big Rig Nationals. That’s why we’re here today and why we’re able to honor Tyler as well. I will never let her name die.” Kruppe’s family say they are still mourning his passing but were overwhelmed by the love from those at the track. “He was a legend at Sparta known for his mankini (Swimsuit) and his panda mask,” said Harder. “Being able to see everyone with the phones out, the support, the love, it’s more than more than I expected.”
