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Truckers On The Front Lines Of Amber Alerts

Whenever someone is missing, Jimmi tries to remember important details like car color, who they are expected to be with, license plate information, and he is always on the lookout for something suspicious.

GREENSBORO, N.C. --

If you've ever seen a North Carolina highway you know it looks like car after car, and truck after truck, barreling down the road. You may think nothing of it, but one type of driver just might be able to help in a situation like the disappearance of Mariah Woods on the eastern side of the state.

"The more eyes you have looking, the better off you are. Like you said, we are out there day and night 24 hours a day, 7 days a week covering multiple states at a time. So it is like it is kind of like you have a lead on something. If they're missing in North Carolina, they could be going to South Carolina," said Jimmi Cockrell, a Truck Driver with R&R Transportation.

We spoke with Jimmi on Wednesday about what it is like to be on the front lines when an amber alert, or something similar is issued. He says whenever someone is missing, he tries to remember important details like car color, who they are expected to be with, license plate information, and he is always on the lookout for something suspicious. While there are a lot of other things to pay attention to while on the road, he says he makes sure to put in this extra effort, because he knows if he were in the situation he would want as much help as possible.

"You keep it in your head. I have a daughter. If she got missing, I would want somebody looking for her. It's something you put on your mind," said Cockrell.

Cockrell added, knowing he is in a profession that can play such a key role in helping people is a badge of pride.

Speaking of the trucking industry, the group Truckers Against Trafficking were honored with a Congressional award in 2015. Two years ago, their organization had identified more than 500 human trafficking cases involving more than 1000 victims.

Anyone with any information on Mariah Woods is asked to call 911.

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