Open Menu Big Truck Fan Gets a Big Surprise Dakota Cox is a big truck fan, inspired since he was a kid by his late step-father who drove a big rig. Cox boasts a huge collection of hats, t-shirts, models, toys, and other items, much sent from trucking companies he’s written to for big truck memorabilia. Mountain River Trucking sent Cox something bigger and better than anyone else, ever. They came and brought along with them the very truck Cox had drawn, a 2013 Kenworth T660. We kept the visit a surprise and Cox had no idea what was happening until he arrived at the rescue squad building. “This is the most awesome thing that has ever happened.” -Dakota Cox Mountain River Trucking brought along Cox’s original letter, not to return but to show their own keepsake from the experience. Beautifully matted and framed, Cox’s letter and drawing will hang in the company offices in Mount Airy along with photographs of the day’s adventure. It was his letter that signaled something special about Cox. He is autistic. Cox’s mother, Patsy Crews of Princeton, WV, remembers when her son was in the eight grade and school officials where they loved at the time advised he had gone as far as he could go. They suggested giving him a certificate and sending him on his way. His mother rejected this notion and so did Dakota. “I told them I was getting out of that school,” he said. So they moved back to Wise County, where his father, Ricky Cox, lived an volunteered with Norton Rescue Squad. Last year, Dakota graduated from J.I. Burton High School. 207 Direct Lane, Mount Airy, North Carolina | (336) 786-6088 | hr@mountainriver.com