By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | January 2026
A heartwarming story about “Big Joe,” a 58-year-old long-haul trucker who started “Code Angel” to help stranded motorists, has gone viral across Facebook, X, and Instagram since early December 2025. The narrative details Joe Lena rescuing a woman rushing to her daughter’s Omaha hospital, sparking a 4,000-trucker network with an app that aided 1,200 people last year, including life-saving interventions.
No Evidence Found
Despite widespread sharing, no credible news reports, official websites, or fact-checks confirm Big Joe, Joe Lena, the Nebraska incident, or Code Angel’s claimed scale. Searches for the app, network stats, or news coverage like “Guardian Angels of the Highway” yield only social media reposts. No organizational footprint exists.
Viral Fiction Pattern
This fits a trend of polished, AI-like inspirational hoaxes mimicking real trucker goodwill, echoing legends like the 1967 song “Phantom 309” about a ghostly helpful driver. One X user called it “made up,” capturing trucker spirit but lacking proof. No Snopes or similar debunk yet, but absence of primary sources speaks volumes.
Real Trucker Kindness
Truckers often aid breakdowns via CB radio traditions, a genuine “highway code” of informal help. The story’s appeal lies in amplifying this: Nice thought, but untrue as told. Share verified acts of goodwill instead.
