H-E-B truck driver Homer Flores recently accomplished a new milestone – driving four million miles consecutively without a single accident or traffic incident.
On April 14, he reached the mark after a delivery run from Kingsville to Corpus Christi, Texas. Upon arrival, his official tally was 4,000,007 consecutive miles. He was greeted by family, friends, fellow drivers and company leaders.
“This is a big honor for me and my family. I truly love working for H-E-B – it’s a great company to be a part of,” Flores said.
“I’m honestly overwhelmed by everyone who came out to support me today. Thank you to H-E-B for giving me the opportunity to work here and to show what I can do. It means a lot to be recognized like this. I’m honored and grateful for this celebration.”
Flores, whose CB handle is “Laredo Kid,” joined H-E-B in April 1986, working at the store on Saunders Street in Laredo. In 1989, he attended truck driving school and moved to Corpus Christi to become a spotter, which involves moving H-E-B trailers around its distribution campuses.
Three years later, he became a full-time driver for H-E-B. Along with his daily deliveries, he has maneuvered his trailer to support several crisis incidents and natural disasters, including Hurricane Harvey and Winter Storm Uri.
Truck driving is in Flores’ blood. His father, uncle and several cousins drive trucks. The profession gives him access to the open road, which is where he said he gets to be himself and at peace.
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“You have to admire and respect Homer’s tremendous accomplishment,” said Todd Wright, SVP of transportation. “It almost seems impossible when you think about it.
“Day in and day out, he is hauling up to 80,000 pounds with a 53- or 57-foot trailer alongside other motorists. To do it safely traveling four million consecutive safe miles, without a single scrape or broken mirror, is a testament to his professionalism.
“We’re incredibly proud of Homer and all our drivers. We truly have the best team in all the industry.”
In his more than three decades on the road, Flores has averaged about 120,000 miles per year to reach four million, which is equivalent to more than 160 trips around Earth.
On average, motorists drive about 13,500 miles per year, according to the Federal Highway Administration. At that rate, it would take an average driver nearly 300 years to reach four million miles.
In 1985, H-E-B launched its Truck Driver Hall of Fame to honor those employees who have achieved at least one million safe miles on the road. Flores was inducted in 2001. Currently, there are more than 460 drivers in the hall.
Flores joins Andres Corona and Danny Guerrero Jr. as H-E-B truck drivers who have achieved four million safe miles. Corona hit the mark in 2014, while Guerrero achieved the milestone in 2021.
