Center Township native John Fleeger, now of Phoenix, is a truck driver who hauls mail to Las Angeles and returns with products from Anhueser-Busch in Van Nuys, Calif. He has noticed many changes in traffic since the coronavirus set in.

Those carrying the necessities to keep the country going during the coronavirus pandemic want to assure the public they are doing their best in tough circumstances and advise all to follow protocol to keep everyone safe from COVID-19.

John Fleeger, a Center Township native and 1978 Butler Area High School graduate, moved to Phoenix three years ago with his wife, Elaine Lepley Fleeger.

Fleeger, a truck driver for the past 39 years, works for Eagle Express Lines, based in Holland, Ill.

He has a set route of hauling a tractor-trailer load of mail from Tuscon to Los Angeles, then he travels to nearby Van Nuys to pick up a load from Anheuser-Busch to bring back to Phoenix.

Fleeger has noticed some differences in his route that have astounded him, like the sudden availability of parking at rest areas and truck stops because the industry has slowed down during the pandemic.

He also marvels at the complete disappearance of Los Angeles' infamous rush-hour freeway traffic since the coronavirus hit.

The first time he drove through Hollywood without any hindrance from traffic was unbelievable, Fleeger said. The lack of tourists and local traffic saved him an hour on his route.

“It was like the Twilight Zone,” he said. “I thought, 'What the hell is happening?'”

This is an excerpt from a larger article that appeared in Wednesday's Butler Eagle. Subscribe online or in print to read the full article and learn about how the truckers are staying safe as well as what issues truckers are encountering.