Two admissions from your favorite automotive content provider: I hate going to the grocery store, AND I love to go to H-E-B. It’s a cultural thing and I think it all comes down to their people. Friendly, courteous, and caring is what I have always found at their stores. What I did not know was this also carries through to the gals and guys who drive the trucks that deliver food to the stores.
- Car Pro Show host Jerry Reynolds
A Texas H-E-B truck driver is in the well-deserved spotlight for his stellar driving skills! Homero Flores recently accomplished a rare milestone - driving four million consecutive miles on Texas roads without a single accident or traffic incident. If you're wondering how long that took - 33 years!
H-E-B, a supermarket chain based in San Antonio, Texas, says Homer Flores reached the milestone on April 14th, after a delivery run from Kingsville to Corpus Christi. Upon arrival, his official tally was four million and seven consecutive miles unscathed. Family, friends, fellow H-E-B drivers, and company leaders gathered to celebrate the milestone.
“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,” said Homero Flores, H-E-B Transportation Partner. “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,” is a long-time H-E-B employee. He joined the supermarket chain in April 1986, first working at the Saunders St. HEB in Laredo. In 1989, he started to attend truck driving school and moved to Corpus Christi to become a spotter, a role involving moving H-E-B trailers around its distribution campuses. Three years later, he became a full-time driver for H-E-B, making it 33 years driving Texas roads. H-E-B also notes that along with his daily deliveries, he safely maneuvered his trailer to support during several crisis incidents and natural disasters such as Hurricane Harvey and Winter Storm Uri.
Flores comes from a family of road warriors. His dad, uncle, and several cousins are also truck drivers. Flores says the profession gives him access to the open road, which is where he gets to be himself and at peace.
“You have to admire and respect Homer’s tremendous accomplishment,” said Todd Wright, Senior Vice President 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.”
Flores, who now wears four-star pins on his shoulder to signify his accomplishment, joins Andres Corona and Danny Guerrero Jr. as H-E-B truck drivers who achieved four million safe miles. He was previously inducted into H-E-B's Truck Driver Hall of Fame in 2001 after reaching one million safe miles.
Read more here: H-E-B Press Release →
