Today’s episode is all about Halloween spirit and features some spine-tingling tales from the road.
Fuel Costs and Halloween Favorites
Before diving into spooky stories, we took a moment to chat about the current national fuel average, which sits at a frustrating $3.55. With prices fluctuating, drivers are always on the lookout for the best deals on fuel — Chris even mentioned that ATS offers an app to track prices.
Shifting gears to Halloween, we debated our favorite candies and the cost of snacks at truck stops, which can run as high as $2.50 for a single candy bar. The discussion turned nostalgic as we shared memories of candies like Milky Ways, Reese’s, and even candy corn. It was the perfect way to get into the Halloween spirit before diving into the darker side of life on the road.
Patrick Kearney, the “Trash Bag Killer”
The first chilling tale we discussed was about Patrick Kearney, infamously known as the “Trash Bag Killer” or “Freeway Killer.” His crimes in Southern California spanned from the early 1960s to 1977, targeting young men who he picked up as hitchhikers or lured from local bars. With an engineering background, Kearney meticulously covered his tracks, even removing bullets to avoid forensic tracing. Despite being suspected of killing 43 people, he confessed to only 21 murders. He avoided the death penalty by pleading guilty.
Reflecting on the horrific details of Kearney’s methodical approach, we noted how critical it is for drivers to stay vigilant and cautious, especially on the road.
Robert Rhoades The "Truck Stop Killer"
The next story covered was about Robert Rhoades, also known as the “Truck Stop Killer.” Rhoades, a long-haul truck driver, terrorized the highways from the 1970s to 1990, using his sleeper cab as a mobile torture chamber. Often picking up hitchhikers, he would hold some of his victims captive for weeks before ultimately killing them. Rhoades was confirmed to have tortured and murdered at least two couples, though he is suspected of claiming the lives of more than 50 women.
As a truck driver, Rhoades’s crimes went undetected for years due to his transient lifestyle and ability to cross state lines frequently. His story underscores the importance of being aware of one’s surroundings and the potential dangers that exist even within one’s own profession.
The Unsolved I-70 Killer
Our last story was about the unidentified “I-70 Killer,” a mysterious figure responsible for killing six store clerks in various mom-and-pop shops across Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, and Missouri in the early 1990s. Witnesses reported seeing a white male, though no one could ever identify him, and the killings remain unsolved to this day.
The discussion around the I-70 Killer highlighted how drivers often encounter eerie situations on the road. These cases also serve as a reminder for everyone, especially truck drivers, to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity on the road.
Staying Safe on the Road
As we wrapped up the tales, the conversation turned to safety tips for truck drivers. In addition to locking doors and avoiding unlit areas, many drivers use apps like Life360 to share their location with friends, family, or driver managers. ATS encourages drivers to report any unusual activity and provides welfare checks if a driver goes unresponsive for an extended period.
Information on Patrick Kearney taken from: “The Story Of Patrick Kearney, The Genius Serial Killer Who Had Sex With His Victims After Murdering Them” written by Wyatt Redd in 2018 and edited by Katie Serena in 2019 for All That’s Interesting.
Information on Robert Ben Rhoades taken from: “The Truck Stop Killer” written by Vanessa Veselka in 2012 for GQ.
Information on the I-70 Killer taken from: “Serial Killers Still Roam America’s Highways — Here Are Some Of The Most Notorious Roadway Murderers Of All Time” by Becca van Sambeck in 2021 for Oxygen.
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