AZ Tower Recuperating After Being Shot

Here's the KNXV TV News story:

As a tow truck driver, Jesse Vasquez always worried about being hit by a car. Being shot on the job never crossed his mind.

Sitting in a wheelchair at John C. Lincoln hospital, Vasquez remembered last Sunday night when a man opened fire on him.

Vasquez had just towed the man's car to his home near 35th Avenue and Thunderbird Road, and was running a credit card to pay for the $154 bill when, out of the blue, the car owner started shooting at him.

"I looked in the mirror, in my rear view mirror, and he's pointing a gun right at me. He starts unloading and the second shot hits me," recalled Vasquez.

Jesse Corman, 28, faces attempted murder charges.

Vasquez said he is lucky he survived after being shot three times. He was struck once in the lower leg and twice in lower back, hip area.

"I felt the wind from the bullet come right by my head," said Vasquez. "He almost took me away from my kids."

Initial reports indicated Corman shot at Vasquez because he was upset about the tow truck bill. However, Vasquez said he saw no sign of that.

"He didn't give me any indication he was mad. If anything, he said he was gonna pay the bill."

Despite the shooting, Vasquez said he will still likely return to his job as a tow driver calling what happened random.

After the shooting, Corman barricaded himself inside his home.

During the standoff, police said Corman lit fireworks and pointed them in the direction of a police helicopter. No damage was done to the helicopter.

The suspect remained barricaded inside the home and refused to come out until about 11 p.m.

Police said neighbors convinced Corman to come out of the house peacefully, with his hands up.

Corman also faces charges of endangerment, discharging a weapon within the city and aiming a laser pointer at an officer.

Copyright 2008 The E.W. Scripps Co. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

TX Tower Killed

Our condolences to the family and acquaintances of 55-year old Stanley Schultz, owner of Second Chance Towing, who was struck and killed on Tuesday night. Here's the story from My Fox Houston:

A wrecker service owner and driver is struck by a van in Conroe after the van driver crossed into an opposite driving lane in a no passing zone, according to police.

Stanley Schultz, 55, was pronounced dead at Conroe Regional Medical Center. Schultz owned the Second Chance wrecker service.

The accident took place late Tuesday night on FM 3083 near Pollok Road.

Conroe police say the female van driver traveling westbound passed several vehicles, including patrol cars, in the eastbound lane. An investigation will take place to determine if the driver was speeding.

Police will present evidence to the Montgomery County District Attorney's office to determine if charges will be filed against the driver.

Schultz was cleaning up debris from another vehicle accident that took place earlier Tuesday night.

Schultz named his company Second Chance after he survived organ transplants in the past.

NYC World Record Bid

Here's the AP story in the Bradenton Herald:

Talk about towing the line.

Nearly 300 tow trucks rumbled through New York City on Saturday in an attempt to smash the world record for the largest parade of its kind.

Organizers think they hit the mark, with 292 trucks participating. The procession included flatbeds, wreckers and 50-ton rotators.

AP Photo - In this photo provided by the Metropolitan New York Towing Association, 292 tow trucks spell out the words 'New York' on a runway at Brooklyn's Floyd Bennett Field after setting the Guinness World Record for 'Largest Tow Truck Parade' in New York, Saturday, September 20, 2008. The parade, staged by the Metropolitan New York Towing Association, went from Shea Stadium in Queens to the small historic airport in Gateway National Park in Brooklyn.

The trucks departed from Shea Stadium in Queens and cruised down a couple of highways before finishing at an abandoned airport tarmac to spell out "New York."

The previous world record was a parade of 83 tow trucks in August 2004 in Washington state.

International Towing Hall of Fame & Museum Events This Past Weekend

Here's the WDEF News 12 story:

Hundreds of people from around the country gathered Saturday morning at the International Towing and Recovery Museum.

Sixty one people were inducted into the towing hall of fame at during a special ceremony.

Their names were added to the Wall of the Fallen, which honors those who lost their lives while serving others.

Families received certificates honoring those men and women and they released white balloons into the sky.

The memorial wall was established at Chattanooga's Towing museum three years ago.

"Also established a fund, a survivor fund which helps the families through a very difficult time. It's been a forgotten industry up until the last few years and now we're making great headway," Museum Trustee George Bakker added.

Bakker says the survivor fund is because many tow companies are still small businesses that don't always offer insurance.

CA Tower Killed In Accident

Our condolences to the family and acquaintances of Gregory Thornton, who died on Friday. Here's the story from the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin:

A 54-year-old man died after the tow truck he was driving went through a guardrail Friday night.

Gregory Thornton, of Oceanside, was driving a flatbed tow truck south on the 15 Freeway at the 215 Freeway south connector at 6:49 p.m. when his truck went through the guardrail.

The truck rolled over and trapped Thornton, according to a San Bernardino County coroner's news release.

Thornton was taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton.

He was declared dead at 8:14 p.m.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.

OR Woman Fights Tow With Fire

Yikes! Here's the 1190 KEX News Radio story:

Authorities say 20-year-old Elizabeth Allen was parked illegally at a Portland apartment complex Tuesday. When a tow truck driver arrived and tried to remove her car, a large crowd gathered.

The driver offered to release the car for $150 and Allen allegedly threatened to set his truck on fire.

The driver then apparently locked himself in the cab of his truck and called 9-1-1. That's when the fire was started. The driver exited the cab and extinguished the fire. Nobody was hurt in the incident.

Allen now faces arson and criminal mischief charges. Her court date is Thursday. Her bond is set at $225,000.

Everyday Towing Hero in South Africa

Here's the story from The Citizen:

JOHANNESBURG - A tow truck driver and petrol attendants helped police arrest an armed robber who robbed a petrol station north of Pretoria at the weekend.

Captain Jan Sepato yesterday said that four men driving a Ford Laser went to the petrol station on Friday night.

Three of the men went into the Excel garage’s shop where they held a cashier at gunpoint.

Two petrol attendants were also robbed. A third petrol attendant saw the trouble and fled, alerting a tow truck driver. The escape car was followed by the tow truck and police later arrested the car owner.

AZ Man Arrested in Shooting of Tow Truck Driver

Here's the AP story from the Arizona Republic:

A disgruntled Phoenix man allegedly opened fire on a tow truck driver with a rifle, wounding the man several times in the legs before barricading himself inside his home.

Sgt. Tommy Thompson said in a statement that police don't believe the wounds suffered by the 40-year-old victim, whose name wasn't immediately available, are life-threatening.

Twenty-six-year-old Jesse Corman surrendered to police about four hours after the 7:30 p.m. shooting Sunday, and was booked for investigation of attempted second-degree murder, endangerment and unlawful discharge of a weapon.

Corman allegedly told police that he felt that the suspect was taking too long unloading his disabled car, and also believed the man had stolen his car keys.

Update on Injured MN Tower

From Park Rapids Enterprise.com:

A Detroit Lakes, Minn., tow truck operator who was seriously injured in a Sept. 9 accident while helping set up a Becker County disaster drill has undergone several surgeries while recovering at a Twin Cities hospital.Michael Smith, 44, remained in critical condition at Hennepin County Medical Center on Tuesday, said hospital spokeswoman Christine Hill. Friends and family of Smith have been keeping a journal of his progress on the Web sitecaringbridges.org.

“He is with us and for that I am praying every moment,” Smith’s wife, Julie Smith, wrote on Sunday. “There have been steps forward and just as many backwards but Mike is sustaining.”

Smith, owner and operator of Lakes County Towing in Detroit Lakes, was helping Becker County law enforcement and rescue authorities set up for the Sept. 10 drill that involved an overturned camper made from a converted school bus. The bus started rolling down a small hill at the Soo Pass Ranch near Detroit Lakes, where the disaster drill was held.

The bus rolled into Smith’s wrecker and both started going down the incline. Smith tried to jump into the cab of the wrecker to put on the brakes, but he only managed to get halfway in.

Smith was injured when the wrecker sideswiped a tree and slammed the door shut on him. He suffered a broken pelvis and his leg had to be amputated above the knee, according to the online journal.

“Mike was doing what he loves, serving his community, he loves the people of this community,” Julie Smith wrote.

Also, a benefit fund has been set up for him:

A benefit account has been set up at Bremer Bank to “help offset the massive expenditures that have been encumbered due to the result of the Sept. 9 accident, in which Mike sustained severe injuries while assisting with the disaster drill for Becker County Emergency Services,” Sheriff Tim Gordon said in the news release.

In light of Smith’s community spirit and attachment to emergency services, Gordon is asking that donations be sent in care of the Michael Smith Benefit Fund, Bremer Bank, P.O. Box 827, Detroit Lakes, MN, 56501.

MI Man Sentenced in Death of Tow Truck Operator

From Mlive.com:

A 60-year-old Ann Arbor man who was driving drunk when he caused the death of a Sakstrup's Towing driver in March was sentenced Tuesday to three to 20 years in prison.

Washtenaw County Circuit Court Judge Donald Shelton told William Lyle he was sending him to prison because of the dangers he imposed on other drivers.

"Drunk driving is a hideous crime because there's no way we can protect ourselves against it," Shelton said.

Shelton sentenced Lyle on one count of operating while intoxicated causing death, a charge Lyle pleaded guilty to in July.

Police reports show Lyle drove past an emergency vehicle and flares that had been set up at a traffic crash scene on March 9 on westbound I-94 near US-23. Michael Johnston, 46, of Ann Arbor, was operating a tow truck that was pulling a vehicle out of a ditch. Johnston, who was standing beside his tow truck, was killed instantly when struck by Lyle's vehicle.

Prior to being sentenced, Lyle said the hurt and pain of the event has stayed with him. He said he is an alcoholic and is attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

Lyle's defense attorney, John Shea, said Lyle has not taken a drink since the day Johnston died.

"I blame nobody but myself," said Lyle. "It's unimaginable to me that I took the life of another person. I'm deeply sorry for the hurt and pain I caused the Johnston family. They didn't deserve it."

Johnston's two sisters and brother made emotional victims' impact statements, stopping sometimes to compose themselves.

Susan Johnston-Vivian said there has been a "big, black cloud hanging over our family" since the death of her younger brother, who she said had "a heart of gold."

"This senseless and avoidable tragedy looms in the air like black smoke," Johnston-Vivian said.

Mary Stasiak, Michael Johnston's younger sister, told Lyle, an insurance agent, he was well aware of the dangers of drunk driving.

"It's difficult to understand that you made your livelihood protecting people from the (same) crime that you committed," Stasiak said.

Michael Johnston's older brother, Daniel Johnston, said he is a recovering alcoholic who drank for 25 years and had drunk-driving convictions. While he said he could relate to Lyle, Johnston said Lyle had a choice not to drink and drive because "he knew what the risks were."

"My brother paid for Mr. Lyle's poor choice," Johnston said. "I truly believe Mr. Lyle did not intend to kill my brother, but we all know the road to hell is paved with good intentions."

Johnston then gave Lyle some advice: "Surrender, trust God, clean house, help others and you will get through this."

Canadian Tow Truck Driver Killed In Accident

Our condolences to the family and acquaintances of the as-yet unnamed tow truck driver who died in a crash Wednesday. Here's the story from mississauga.com:

A 48-year-old Mississauga man was killed last night when his tow truck crashed into a hydro pole and then a bus shelter in Toronto.
The incident happened around 6:30 p.m. on Kingston Rd., just west of Woodbine Ave.
Police say the driver, whose name has yet to be released, may have already been dead when the crash occurred.
“Witnesses saw the driver slumped over the wheel just prior to the collision,” said Toronto police Cst. Mig Roberts. “There’s no skid marks to indicate the driver was trying to brake and there was no swerving.”
The tow truck was heading west on Kingston Rd. when it crossed into the eastbound lanes. It struck a pole and hurtled towards a bus shelter, sending people scrambling for safety.
The truck also sideswiped a mini-van in the crash, but its driver wasn't hurt, Roberts said.

After Two Recent Deaths, AZ Lawmakers Push "Move Over" Law

Here's a good story from KSWT news:

It's common courtesy to change lanes when you see a car stopped on the side of the highway, but people are still losing their lives on those emergency lanes. Lawmakers are taking a stand. We already change lanes for police and emergency responders, but the existing law fails to protect other people who make a living working on the side of the road. That includes tow truck drivers.

They're the unsung heroes of the open road. It's the job of the tow truck driver to come to our rescue when we're stranded on the highway, but this job comes with certain danger.

"Say a car's coming along and they're on the cell phone or they're chaning the cd or something, and if the car moves over six inches and you're there, you're going to get hit," says Dick Rautenberg, owner of Dick's 25 Hour Towing. He has been in the towing business for 44 years and has never lost an employee on the road. Some folks in the industry would consider him lucky.

Arizona lawmakers are now stepping in with the Move Over bill. The legislation will extend an existing law to require drivers to change lanes when a shoulder is occupied by a tow truck. Since 2002, four Arizona tow truck drivers have been killed by motorists who veered into emergency lanes.

Rautenberg recalls his brush with death.

"I kind of took a step back and was going to pull the chain and a car came by and the chrome strip caught my belt loop. It was as close a call that I've ever had."

Arizona is one of 43 states with a Move Over law and is set to become only one of 17 to include tow trucks. Flares and beacon lights aside, legislators hope to transform the common courtesy into a life-saving law.

Arizona Department of Transportation vehicles are also included in this bill. ADOT gave us a statement saying it is concerned about the safety of its workers.

MN Woman in Stolen Tow Truck Leads Police in Chase

From TwinCities.com:

A woman suspected of stealing a tow truck led police on a 14-mile chase through three cities early this morning, Bloomington police said.

Around 1:40 a.m., a Bloomington police sergeant on patrol heard a truck crashing through a fence at Chief's Towing Co. near 96th Street West and Humboldt Avenue South, said police Sgt. Mark Elliott.

The woman led police and Minnesota State Patrol troopers on a 14-mile chase onto Interstate 35W and Minnesota 13 through Burnsville and Savage, Elliott said. A Bloomington squad and a Minnesota State Patrol squad were damaged in the chase, which ended in an industrial area of Savage, Elliott said.

There were no injuries.

Bloomington police took the woman into custody on suspicion of auto theft. Police are investigating the incident.

Tow A Truck Expands to Canada

From trucknews.com:

TORONTO, Ont. -- Tow A Truck has expanded its business into Canada, providing roadside assistance for Class 3 through Class 7 trucks.

With its network of over 45,000 service vehicles, the company provides emergency towing, battery boosts, fuel delivery, emergency service dispatch, and changes mounted and inflated spare tires.

"We provide truck drivers and fleet owners peace of mind while helping them to reduce costs and get back on the road as quickly as possible," Tow A Truck officials said in a release.

For more information visit www.towatruck.com or call 866-644-2869.

New Executive Director Chosen for Southwest Tow Operators

Here's the release from PR.com:

New Executive Director Chosen for Southwest Tow Operators

Southwest Tow Operators is pleased to announce that Jess Horton has joined the staff as Executive Director effective September 1st.

Dallas, TX, September 11, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Jess Horton has worked in the towing industry for almost twenty years. He was raised in Lorena, Texas, but spent the majority of his career in Austin, Texas. He started in towing as owner of Repomasters in Austin. He has served as Vice President of Assured Towing with locations in Austin and San Antonio. He is an approved instructor for Austin Community College and founder of their Towing School. He served as Vice President of the Austin Towing Association and Chairman of the Board for the Towing Education Council of Texas. He also helped found Southwest Tow Operators and served as First Vice President since its inception in 2004.

Jess has been an integral part of their phenomenal growth. He was also instrumental in designing their Driver Certification Program which has certified over 5,000 Texas drivers so far.

As an energetic and creative industry leader, Southwest Tow Operators is very proud to have Jess working full-time as the new Executive Director. His focus in the next twelve months will be member training and education and forming strong regional chapters of Southwest Tow Operators.

If any client needs any assistance, they can contact Jess Horton and any of Southwest Tow Operators capable staff anytime.

###

Contact Information

Southwest Tow Operators Joann Messina 972-247-9454 jess.horton@swtowop.org www.swtowop.org joann@swautotow.com

Updated Story on Injured MN Tower

Here's a little more in depth story on Mike Smith of Lakes Towing in Detroit Lakes, MN from DL-online:

A Detroit Lakes tow truck operator was seriously injured Tuesday afternoon while helping emergency workers set up for a disaster drill at Soo Pass Ranch.

Mike Smith, 44, owner and operator of Lakes Towing suffered crushing injuries to his lower extremities in the accident.

He was taken to St. Mary’s Innovis Health in Detroit Lakes, taken by Life Flight to a Fargo hospital, then airlifted to Hennepin County Medical Center with “extremely serious” injuries, according to Becker County Sheriff Tim Gordon.

The accident occurred as the tow truck operator was helping a Detroit Lakes firefighter, Ryan Swanson, set up a disaster drill scenario involving an overturned camper made from a converted school bus.

The bus started rolling down a small hill at Northwoods Campground at the Soo Pass Ranch, where the disaster drill was held Wednesday.

The bus rolled into the wrecker and both started going down the incline. Smith tried to jump into the cab of the wrecker to put on the brakes, but he only managed to get halfway in, and he was injured when the wrecker sideswiped a tree and slammed the door shut on him.

Swanson, the only other person on the scene, had been spotting for the tow truck driver. The firefighter was able to get him free from the wreckage and call for help.

“It was just a tragic accident,” Gordon said. “He was donating his time and efforts to us for the disaster drill.”

A condition report was not available Wednesday from the Hennepin County Medical Center.

MN Tow Truck Operator Seriously Injured

A tow truck operator was seriously hurt while helping set up for a disaster drill in Becker County. Sheriff Tim Gordon says it happened at Soo Pass Ranch near Detroit Lakes. 43-year old Mike Smith of "Lakes Towing" in Detroit Lakes tried to jump into the cab of his tow truck to stop it when he got crushed between the wrecker and a tree. He suffered extensive crushing injuries to his abdomen, hip and legs. He's in serious condition in a Twin Cities trauma center.

Here's the KFGO story.

One Month to VATRO Tow Expo!

Here's your reminder!

Everyday Aussie Towing Hero to be Honored

A round of applause goes to Trevor Oliver, 46, for his rescue efforts on April 3, 2007. He is a director of Western Truck Towing and, next year, he will receive an Australian Bravery Medal for rescuing two people from a burning car.

Here's the Wimmera Mail-Times story:

HORSHAM truck towing operator Trevor Oliver will receive an Australian Bravery Medal for rescuing two people from a burning car.

Governor-General of Australia Major General Michael Jeffrey said Mr Oliver, 46, would be one of 24 Australians to receive the medal.

Mr Oliver, a director of Western Truck Towing in Horsham, played down his rescue efforts after a head-on collision on the Bacchus Marsh- Geelong Road on April 3, 2007.

"I was just Johnny-on-the-spot. I would have hoped if I was in the same situation someone else would help me and do the same thing," he said.

Mr Oliver said the crash had left a VW transporter on its roof and burning with a man trapped inside.

"I've never seen a vehicle go up so quickly in all my time in the towing industry," he said.

"I climbed in through the window and the bloke had his legs on fire and I couldn't get him out of the seat.

"I soon realised he was trapped by his seat belt so I cut him out with my pocket knife and dragged him out of the window.

"Another bloke helped me get him out of the window."

Mr Oliver said the other vehicle, a panel van, was embedded into the VW transporter.

"It was a painter's van so it had turps, paints, thinners in it and it was starting to catch fire," he said.

Mr Oliver and a co-rescuer secured a chain from the panel van to a truck at the scene and dragged the van 40 metres down the road.

He stayed at the scene to reassure and comfort the trapped driver, helping cushion and support him until ambulance and rescue personnel arrived.

The two men in the accident were airlifted to the Alfred Hospital.

Mr Oliver said he was amazed how quickly it all happened.

"It all happened in five minutes but seemed to take about half an hour. I was amazed at how many people pulled up and drove off, not many stopped to help," he said.

Mr Oliver now lives in Bacchus Marsh after moving from Buangor, where he lived for 23 years and was a CFA member.

He said his experience in the CFA and as a tow truck driver for 28 years helped him deal with the situation.

Mr Oliver said he was reunited with the man who had been trapped in the panel van through the Channel Seven TV program Medical Emergency.

Maj Gen Jeffrey said Mr Oliver displayed considerable bravery.

"Today's announcement of national bravery awards recognises the heroic actions of those among us who have placed the safety and lives of others before their own," he said.

Mr Oliver will be presented with his medal next year.

ND Tow Co. Owner Killed

Our condolences to the family and acquaintances of 65-year old Larry Gilje, owner of Larry's Towing in Grand Forks, ND. He died Aug. 25 after being pinned between a semitrailer and a tow truck in a parking lot. The circumstances of the accident are unknown.

Everyday Towing Hero in CA!

Kudos to Erasmo Lopez of Malibu Towing!
Here's the Aug. 27 Malibu Times story:

By Jonathan Friedman / Assistant Editor

A Porsche Cayenne caught fire on Pacific Coast Highway just below Pepperdine University last Thursday morning. The flames nearly reached nearby brush. Nobody was injured.

"It could have endangered the heart of Malibu," said Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Deputy Jim Castro, who was the first officer to arrive at the scene. "The heart of Malibu was in danger for five critical minutes."

Malibu resident Rita Voge was driving her Porsche, which she said was "running shaky," to the repair shop at approximately 9:30 a.m. when she noticed smoke coming from the front hood.

"I stopped and pulled over, and I lifted up the hood," she said. "I was very lucky the guy from Malibu Towing was also coming up the hill, and he said he saw a fireball coming under my car. I didn't know."

Erasmo Lopez from Malibu Towing attempted to put out the fire with his extinguisher. This worked at first, but the flames soon restarted. A trail of water with flaming gasoline began to flow down the highway, threatening the brush on the side.

"So I grabbed the lady and told her to get into my truck because it [the Porsche] might blow up." Lopez said.

Lopez contacted firefighters at Los Angeles County Fire Station 88. They took approximately 20 minutes to extinguish the flames.

Capt. A.J. Cunningham said the gasoline had burned through a fuel line below the car, creating the fire trail along the highway.

"It was exciting for a little while," he said.

Voge said, "It was a scary moment, especially after I saw the fireball. I was very lucky."

Westbound traffic on Pacific Coast Highway was stopped at Webb Way for approximately an hour. Drivers were forced to turn onto Webb Way, and then go through Civic Center Way and onto Malibu Canyon Road before getting back onto the highway.

Man Pleads Guilty in Death of IN Tow Truck Driver

Mike Cunningham, a driver for 64 Garage, died in June. Read the June 9 TowBlog post for the full story. Here's the recent WFIE 14 news story:

A Henderson man pleads guilty in connection with the death of a tow truck driver earlier this year.

Police say 51-year-old Randall McSwain had cocaine in his system when his coal truck hit 32-year-old Mike Cunningham, of Princeton.

Cunningham was loading a vehicle onto his tow truck in Gibson County when he was hit.

McSwain is scheduled to be sentenced next month.

Sketch Released in Modesto (CA) Tow Truck Murder

Christopher Sisk, a 31-year old father of three, was killed last May. He worked for his family's A&R Towing of Modesto, CA. Read the CBS 13 story from last year here.

Here's the recent story from CBS13:

MODESTO The Modesto Police department has released a sketch in the death of a tow truck driver who was killed last year while trying to stop a thief from stealing his truck.

31-year-old Christopher Sisk died last May when he stopped at Swaid's Market on Hatch Road to buy a coffee. Sisk spotted a man trying to steal his tow truck and went outside to try and stop him and was run over.

Sisk later died at Doctor's Medical Center from severe head and chest injuries. Officers later found Sisk's truck abandoned on Lombardy Street in Modesto.

Witnesses described the man who stole Sisk's truck as in his early 20s, 6 feet tall, wearing dark clothing. He had a white bandanna or T-shirt on his head.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Modesto Police Department.

Chattanooga (TN) City Council Defers Tow Truck Ordinance

Here's the WDEF 12 News story:

Chattanooga city council members defer a vote on a new tow truck ordinance.

Several council members say they need more information to make a decision.

There's been a lot of controversy over whether or not to require a certain piece of equipment to clear the worst truck wrecks.

Now the council wants to look more at the time it takes to clear a wreck not the equipment used to do the job.

The proposed ordinance requires a 90 minute time limit.

The issues were brought forth Tuesday afternoon during a legal and legislative committee meeting.

"Our position is we want the road cleared as quickly as we can, as professionally as we can and we want some type of performance measure that a person has to meet and if they don't meet that performance measure, they are held to task," Bob VanHorn with the TDOT Help Program told council members Tuesday.

The proposed ordinance would also require additional training for tow truck operators.

Man, Woman Charged w/Trying to Run Over TX Tow Co. Employee

Click here for the story.

No Teeth to NH "Move Over" Law

Here's part of the story from the Portsmouth Herald News:

If you've driven into New Hampshire on a highway recently, you probably saw the electronic signs reminding drivers to move over if they see flashing red, blue or amber lights.

The signs were put up by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation earlier this month to inform motorists of changes to the state's "Move Over Law," which requires motorists to "give a wide berth without endangering oncoming traffic" to public-safety personnel and vehicles when drivers approach an emergency or blockage on the highway.

As of Aug. 5, the law now includes the provision that requires motorists to give a wide berth to construction equipment, tow trucks and other vehicles which display a flashing amber, or yellow, light.

But the law could be considered more like "Move Over, please."

It carries no fines or penalties for scofflaws.

Read the rest here.

Beaten at Impound Lot, MD Tow Truck Driver is Awarded $275K

Read the Maryland Daily Record story here.

TX Deputy Under Investigation After Tow Truck Shooting

Here's the WOAI story about a sheriff's deputy who is under investigation after he opened fire on a tow truck in the middle of his neighborhood early Tuesday. Read it here.

A Hazard of Being a Tow Truck Driver in the South

Here's the East Volusia News (FL) story:

Reptile deters wrecker driver's recovery effort

By LYDA LONGA
Staff Writer

DAYTONA BEACH -- A sport utility vehicle plunged into a pond near the golf course at Indigo Lakes early Thursday morning after the driver lost control of the vehicle and ran off Interstate 95 just north of International Speedway Boulevard, a witness said.

The driver of the SUV and his passenger escaped the sinking vehicle through the sunroof and were uninjured, according to Holly Hill tow-truck driver Adam Balboa.

Balboa of Arrow Wrecker Service said the crash occurred before dawn Thursday and Florida Highway Patrol troopers called him to the scene to remove the vehicle.

Balboa arrived at the scene about 8 a.m. and prepared to begin fishing the vehicle out of the murky water when he noticed two alligators on the surface.

"They looked pretty big," Balboa said. "They (FHP investigators) called the trappers and . .( ) we were able to go in the water and bring up the truck."

Balboa said the SUV was extremely heavy because it was so inundated with water.

Trappers killed the 8-foot-long gator recovered from the water, Balboa said.

More details about the crash and the victims' identities were not available Thursday night.

CA Deputy Jailed After Tow Truck Confrontation

Here's The Desert Sun story:

A San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy faces felony assault charges after he allegedly handcuffed and held a tow-truck driver at gunpoint along Interstate 10, about 45 miles east of Indio.

Richard Charles Heverly, 41, of La Verne was arrested Monday and booked into the Riverside County jail in Indio. He was released later that day on $150,000 bail.

He faces four felony charges for the Aug. 10 incident involving tow-truck driver Roger Gilstrap, whose hometown was not available Tuesday.

Charges against Heverly include assault with a semi-automatic firearm, assault under the color of authority, making a criminal threat and false imprisonment.

According to a statement by Michael Jeandron, a spokesman for the Riverside County District Attorney's Office, Gilstrap had noticed a “big rig” fire on the side of the freeway, near Eagle Mountain Road. While on the phone with police dispatch, the tow-truck driver blocked the freeway with his vehicle to keep people away from the fire until emergency personnel arrived.

Heverly then approached the tow-truck driver and flashed his badge.

“Witness reports indicate that Heverly escalated the confrontation by unlawfully handcuffing and holding the tow- truck driver at gunpoint,” Jeandron said.

Indio resident Sean Moore was traveling a few cars behind the tow-truck driver and saw some of the events unfold.

“The tow-truck driver looked scared. It looked like (Heverly) had the guy's hands behind his back,” Moore said.

He then noticed the off-duty officer taking photos of the tow- truck driver.

“He stuck a digital camera into his face. I don't know why,” Moore said.

As a witness to some of the events, Moore was subsequently interviewed by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department's internal affairs unit and the California Highway Patrol.

The district attorney's office is now pursuing charges.

“The Riverside County District Attorney's Office has the authority to prosecute crimes that occur within Riverside County,” Jeandron said.

Heverly is scheduled to for arraignment on Oct. 29.

Xochitl Peña covers Indio and Coachella for The Desert Sun. She can be reached at 360-1340 or at xochitl.pena@thedesertsun.com.

SC Tow Truck Driver Arrested After Shooting

Here's the story from The Beaufort Gazette:

A Burton tow truck driver was arrested Tuesday and faces two counts of assault with intent to kill after police say he opened fire on two men during an argument at his impound yard on Bay Pines Road.

Michael James Louder, 28,of Burton remained in jail Wednesday afternoon on $80,000 bail, accused of shooting at Timothy Brian Bonk, 21, and Kevin Szabo, 24.

Bonk and Louder were arguing about a four-wheeler that was at Louder's lot. The argument turned violent when Louder went to the cab of his tow truck, retrieved a 9 mm handgun, and starting shooting at the two men, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office.

When Bonk and Szabo tried to leave, Louder blocked the exit before ramming Szabo's Ford F-150 with his tow truck, causing an estimated $5,000 worth of damage to the truck, the Sheriff's Office said.

No injuries were reported in the shooting, authorities said.

Deputies recovered two shell casings and surveillance video from a nearby business captured the entire incident, the Sheriff's Office said. Deputies also seized a magazine of 9 mm bullets from the cab of Louder's truck.

CA Deputy Sheriff Charged With Threatening Tow Truck Driver

Here's the KPSP Local 2 News story:

A San Bernardino County Sheriffs Deputy has been arrested in Indio for allegedly terrorizing and threatening the life of a tow truck driver.

In an arrest decalration obtained exclusively by KPSP Local 2, a California Highway Patrol Officer indicates that on August 10th, San Bernardino County Deputy Sheriff Richard Heverly pulled up next to a tow-truck that had responded to a fully engulfed big-rig fire off Interstate 10 near Eagle Mountain. Heverly approached the tow truck driver flashed his badge at him and said "This entitles me to do what ever the f*** I want. The deputy yelled at the driver and grabbed his cell phone disconnecting his call. He then handcuffed the driver, puncturing his hand. Allegedly he then placed his semi-automatic handgun in the driver's ear and threatened to kill him. The tow truck driver suffered cuts and bruises from the weapon. The CHP officer indicates that Heverly refused to allow the man to leave for a full five minutes

The deputy has been charged with four felonies, all qualifying as strikes under California law, including assault with a deadly weapon and terrorist threats. He was released $150,000 dollars bail. The Deputies arraignment is set for August 20th, according to the Riverside County Courts Website.

Goodyear Seeking Highway Heroes

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is starting its second quarter-century of celebrating truck-driver heroics. A search is on for U.S. and Canadian drivers who come to the rescue of fellow motorists.

Nominations for the prestigious 26th annual Goodyear North AmericaHighway Hero Awards will be accepted through Nov. 30, 2008.

To be considered for this year's award, the following criteria must be met:
. Nominee must be a full-time truck driver;
. Nominee must be a resident of the United States or Canada;
. Incident recognized must have occurred in the United States or Canada;
. Nominee must have been on the job or on the way to or from work, and in his or her rig at the time of the incident;.
. Nominee's truck at the time of the incident must have 14 wheels or more;
Incident must have taken place between Nov. 16, 2007, and Nov. 15, 2008, to qualify.

Joe Copeland, vice president for Goodyear commercial tire systems, said, "Too many times, we only hear about the negative news of our world. That extends to truck drivers, who are truly misunderstood for the role they play in moving freight from the factories to our homes. We see today's truck driver as the brave men and women who make our highways safer and drive our economy. They truly are America's unsung heroes, and we want to honor them. The Highway Hero program is for those who selflessly risk life and limb to come to the aid of fellow motorists or who make the world a better place for all. Anyone can nominate a truck driver for this high honor," Copeland said.

Nomination forms and program details may be obtained by calling the Goodyear Highway Hero Hotline at 330-796-8183. The nomination form also is available on the program's web site at
http://www.goodyear.com/truck/news/hero.html.

towPartners Announces New Website

towPartners launched an all new website August 1.Some of the features of the new website are shown below.

Standard Features:

• Local Weather
• Gas & Fuel Prices
• News including US, World, Entertainment and more
• towPartners News
• Motor Club Rates and Statistics (expanded offering)
• Tow411 RSS Feed for Latest Posts
• Savings Ticker – See what members are saving!
• Mapping
• Advisor Articles
• eAdvisor (Latest 164 page issue online now)
• Polls
• Google Search
• NASCAR News
• Information on all of our savings programs
• Classified Ads
• Motor Club Listings
• Trade Show Listings

Members Only Features (Must be logged into view):

• National Towing Rates (Regional also for Light and Heavy Duty)
• Free VIN Decoder
• Legislation / Legal Research Tool (Gold)
• More detailed savings information including exclusive offers only to members
• Messages from towPartners
• Online Profile Updating which also updates free listings on towSearch.com
• Back issues of the Advisor online
• Access to our free software, towData
• Many more members only items in development

Take a look at www.towpartners.com.

MA Tow Service Loses AAA Contract due to "Lobster-gate"

This is related to my Aug. 5 post on this MA tow company and its "disposal" of a load of lobsters.
Click here to read the story.

Everyday Towing Hero in CO

Kudos to Mike Hipszky for his heroic actions! Here's the story from The Daily Record:

Humble Hero

Debbie Bell
The Daily Record

It has all the makings of a superhero movie — a wall of water, drivers in distress and a former Navy Seal buckling himself into a makeshift harness for swift-water rescue.

There is only one problem. Mike Hipszky, hero of this particular story, shrugs off his role in rescuing people from the July 26 flood at Copper Gulch, even though he risked his own life to save theirs.

“I’m no hero,” the soft-spoken 32-year-old said. “My dad is a hero. The people serving in Afghanistan and Iraq right now are heroes. My wife and daughter are heroes for putting up with me.”

Hipszky, a body-shop worker at Lindner by day, turns into a tow-truck driver by weekend. He had just finished a run up Copper Gulch Road late the afternoon of July 26, when the rain started.

“It was sprinkling just a little bit,” Hipszky said. “It turned really nasty, really fast. It was pretty crazy — I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Devastating rains dropped from a late-afternoon thunderstorm, racing down the flood-prone Copper Gulch area and stranding drivers. Strips of pavement dropped five feet straight down, and the road suffered severe shoulder and culvert damage. At least one lane of the road was completely washed away in three different places.

Safe in his 2004 Chevy Duramax wrecker, Hipszky had slowed to a stop when he felt the road beneath him start giving way.

“I was just sitting there, waiting for the water to go down,” Hipszky said. “It washed the road away from underneath the wrecker. I got washed off the road and started to worry — I didn’t want anything to happen to the wrecker.”

Even as his own safety shifted beneath him, Hipszky saw others in great distress and chose to focus on them.

“There were four or five cars that were stuck,” he said, including one that had literally washed down the channel. “People were out of and on their cars.”

Others had left their vehicles and made their way to higher ground.

“The water was so deep, it was washing boulders down,” Hipszky said. “It was really strong, really fast.”

So, he did what any hero would do — quickly created a makeshift harness out of ratchet straps from the tow truck. He attached himself to the wrecker’s cable and braved the rushing waters several times to bring others to safety.

“It was so hard to stand up. You had to lean into it so you didn’t fall over,” Hipszky said.

Another driver, a Marine — Hipszky didn’t get his name — helped reel him in using the truck’s winch.

“It was definitely a lot of water,” Hipszky said.

Hipszky admitted the adrenaline was flowing, probably making his actions seem easier than they actually were. He lost count of the number of people he saved.

More than four hours later, the ordeal was over, and Hipszky was able to drive away. The simple act of towing a car up Copper Gulch Road had turned into much more than he had bargained for.

Steve Lindner, owner of Lindner Chevrolet Cadillac Inc., said the wrecker was a mess after Hipszky’s adventures.

“It took us a good couple of days to clean that wrecker back up,” Lindner said. “The water was up to the doors. Weeds were floating in the tool boxes.”

Naturally, Lindner said he and the entire team at the auto dealership are proud of their colleague.

“He is just a great guy,” Lindner said.

Before he signed on with the Lindner team, Hipszky spent 12 years in the Navy, where he joined the SEAL special military forces. That reliable, disciplined and highly skilled maritime force operates from sea, air or land while employing stealth and clandestine methods.

Although reluctant to talk about his military service, Hipszky said he saw “almost every part of the world that has a shore,” spent time in war-torn Afghanistan and Bosnia. His duties there are undoubtedly the reason he downplays his role in the Copper Gulch flood of 2008.

“It wasn’t really that big of a deal,” Hipszky said. “It probably sounds a lot more impressive than it really was.”

A screenplay of the Copper Gulch flood, however, would tell a different story — one of honor, service, bravery and valor — with Hipszky as the hero.

Debbie Bell may be reached at dbell@ccdailyrecord.com.

Towing Co. Owner is 2008 Citizen of the Year in CA City

Here's The Sun story:

San Dimas' 2008 Citizen of the Year learned from father

Imani Tate, Staff Writer

Article Launched: 08/12/2008 08:27:48 PM PDT

SAN DIMAS - Service is a lifetime habit for Scott Dilley, the 2008 San Dimas Citizen of the Year who was spoon-fed activism and charity during his formative years.

Dilley and his younger brother Chris didn't have time to get in trouble as children growing up in San Dimas and La Verne. Their days were filled with youth sports, school and community activities and public-service projects.

Scott and Chris inherited more than ownership of Sanders Towing, Lock and Key and Automotive Shop from their dad, Ron Dilley. The examples of their father, mother Julie Dilley Hector and grandmother Pearl Dilley convinced the Dilley boys there was more to life than breathing air and taking up space.

Ron's record of service include La Verne Planning Commission, Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce and philanthropic projects in San Dimas and La Verne. Pearl, retired chief baker for Bonita Unified School District, helped children in crisis with grandmotherly care and cookies. Hector volunteered with numerous community and children's programs before remarrying and moving to Texas where she continues to live a service-oriented life.

Family and community remain Scott's top priorities. His attraction to his wife, Ekstrand Elementary School teacher Kerry Dilley, was about more than her physical beauty. He chose a life partner equally committed to philanthropic work.

Scott is teaching older son Matt, 16, to recognize and respond to the needs of others.

Matt picks up trash, sells tickets, cooks, fills balloons and performs whatever tasks help others at the San Dimas rodeo, Western Days and birthday party, usually working side-by-side with Scott and Kerry.

"We are not alone" and the Golden Rule were the messages Scott constantly heard growing up and remain constant in his life today, he said.

Sanders' tow truck today also carry Girl and Boy Scouts, Little League, Pop Warner and Girls Softball Association athletes, church and community floats, professional rodeo cowboys and cowgirls, musicians, youth advocates, elected officials, military banners, costumed characters and public safety agents for parades and community events in San Dimas and La Verne.

Scott is a Bonita High School and Citrus College graduate.

Sanders Towing was started by Scott's great- uncle Leonard Stevenson and later owned by Ken Sanders before Ron Dilley bought it.

Young Scott was promoted to tow-truck washer before he and Chris began more serious tasks to prepare them for ultimately assuming ownership of the business in 2001 when Ron retired.

Fairplex Education Director Dan Harden, a retired Bonita teacher and La Verne councilman, said the Dilleys never stand on the sidelines when help is needed.

"Anytime the community needs support for anything at any time, Scott and Chris step up," Harden said. "Scott is the kind of person you like to be around, because he's positive, friendly, gentle, giving and caring. And so are his brother, his wife, his dad and his stepmom. The Dilley boys were good kids and now they're great, generous men."

Suit Settled

Jason Wahler's ex-girlfriend has agreed to pay $3,000 to a tow truck driver to settle a lawsuit he brought against her and "The Hills" star. Read the rest of the story here.

Murder Trial Starts in NC Tow Truck Driver's Shooting

Here's the WRAL.com story:

Rocky Mount, N.C. — The murder trial of a man charged with killing a Rocky Mount tow-truck driver on New Year's Day 2007 began Monday.

William Corbett, 25, was shot when he tried to tow a car parked outside a business across from a nightclub on North Church Street, police said. Witnesses said a large group of people left the club at about the same time Corbett was hooking the illegally parked car to his wrecker, and they surrounded him.

One man in the crowd pulled a gun, shot Corbett in the chest and fled, police said.

James Taylor Jr., 24, of 717 Starling Way in Rocky Mount, later surrendered to police and was charged in Corbett's shooting.

Another Reminder of How Dangerous Towing Can Be

Our best wishes for a full recovery to this MI tow truck driver who was severely injured after being trapped underneath a car. Read the full story here.

Jazz Diva By Night; Tow Truck Driver By Day

Cool story from South Africa's Daily Dispatch about an award-winning jazz singer who tow cars, too!

THE truck’s engine drowns out her voice as she shifts gears. She loses her cellphone signal and pulls over for the third time just so we can talk.

It’s just another day for award-winning Port Elizabeth jazz singer, Phinda Mtya. While her peers are running around shopping malls looking for outfits to wear for their next concert, Mtya spends the day in oily overalls towing broken-down cars.

She has been driving tow trucks on the streets of Johannesburg for the past eight years and enjoys it.

But on Saturday evening, the Tiki-Tiki star will swop the overalls for a stunning outfit when she performs at East London’s Orient Theatre.

The event, Divas Jazz Evening, which will celebrate Women’s Day, will also feature Oupa Makhubela, Mimmi and Linda.

It’s not often that one sees a woman behind the wheel of a tow truck, especially one that has performed in The Lion King and has recorded CDs.

“Actually, it’s my husband who has an interest in cars,” she says.

“We started a panel-beating business and our clients would have problems bringing their cars in. So we bought one tow truck and it ended up outperforming the actual business.

“Now we have both the panel-beating shop and the tow company. I drive the trucks when we don’t have a driver. L ike today, when there’s a strike, I’m very busy.”

It’s not unusual for her to get wisecracks from passersby when she’s driving the tow truck.

“I get a lot of eyes when I tow a car and some people even come up to me and say: ‘Ha! My sister, such a big truck? Do you have a driver with you?’ I just smile at them.”

She has to stop our telephone interview for a while as there are so many people stopping to greet her.

This is the attention Mtya has been getting since her song, Tiki-Tiki, announced her arrival in the music industry last year. Things have not always been this rosy. Mtya began singing at the Alabama Hotel in Port Elizabeth before touring with a band. In 1991, she moved to Johannesburg and worked with Yvonne Chaka-Chaka, who introduced her to her producer. Soon, she signed a record deal.

She recorded her first album, Into Yam, but it never saw the light of day.

“The company that I signed with was liquidated,” says Mtya.

“I was still very young, only 22. This was all happening within a year of being in Johannesburg.

“I could have moved the material somewhere else. Instead, I really got disappointed and stopped trying. When that didn’t work, I went back to doing what I knew best – singing backup and writing music for other musicians. ”

Things started changing when Lebo M, The Lion King co-producer, spotted Mtya performing in Johannesburg. She joined the cast of the hit musical and, as a result, was based in Canada for almost three years.

“That was the most humbling experience and it taught me many things about the industry,” Mtya says.

On her return to the country she joined Mahube, a collaboration of 12 of southern Africa’s finest musicians, including Oliver Mtukudzi, George Phiri, Suthukazi Arosi, Feya Faku and Andile Yenana, among others.

Her second album, Mbeka Phesheya, won a SA Music Award in 2006.

“When I heard my name I was zoned out and I don’t even remember what happened next,” she says.

Now this diva has her sights set on starting her own recording studio and launching a project to develop upcoming musicians in the Eastern Cape.

“It just goes to show, you can never judge a person by their job or by the clothes they wear,” she laughs.

l Divas Jazz Evening starts at 7.30pm and tickets are R80. They can be bought at Shoprite/Checkers outlets and at Computicket.

Parade of Tow Trucks Planned to Honor Killed AZ Tow Truck

Good story from The East Valley Tribune's writer Katie McDevitt:

About 200 tow trucks are planning to proceed through Gilbert and Mesa Thursday evening following a funeral for a AAA tow truck driver who was struck and killed on Loop 202 on Friday.

Jesse Gault’s funeral will be 5 p.m. at Falconer Funeral Home, 251 W. Juniper Ave., in Gilbert. The procession will take place between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. from the funeral home.

It will move north on Gilbert Road and make a left on Main Street where the tow trucks will stop for a moment of silence in front of Gault’s former employer, Thompson's Auto Repair and Towing in Mesa at 1325 E. Main Street. Most of the procession will then continue on to Gault’s favorite restaurant, Hometown Buffet, located at 1855 S. Stapley Drive and the truck carrying his casket will return to the funeral home.

The body of Jesse Gault will be in a casket on the flatbed of a tow truck in the procession, said Chris Timothy, owner of Falconer Funeral Home in Gilbert.

Gault was killed along with Jean Bunch after he changed her tire in the emergency lane on Loop 202 near Gilbert Road about 10 a.m. Friday. A large truck driven by Albert J. Lorona, 31, of Yuma plowed into the back of Gault's tow truck, crushing Gault and Bunch only minutes before they were going to drive away.

Investigators still haven't interviewed Lorona because he has been at a local hospital with injuries.

The procession of tow trucks with flashing lights will be held in Gault’s memory, but will also be an effort to show state lawmakers that tow truck drivers want to see a change, said Joyce Capson, of Robins Towing, who has been a tow truck driver for 25 years.

“Why don’t we matter?” Capson said in a phone interview while holding back tears. “The ‘Move Over Law’ should apply to (us).”

Capson said she wants to see the law that requires freeway drivers to move over a lane or slow down for emergency vehicles on the side of the highway be changed to also include tow truck drivers.

Tow truck drivers were initially included in the bill, but were removed from the legislation before it became law.

Capson said she and other tow truck drivers have written letters to lawmakers in light of Gault’s death and have already heard back from one person.

“We’re trying to do all we can now,” Capson said.

Chattanooga Beer & Wrecker Board...

Sounds like an interesting committee to be on! Anyway, here's a short story on a recent ruling.

Tow Truck's Chrome Pays Off In AK Truck Show

Here's the story in The Courier about Cogswell Motors' second-place win during a Little Rock, AK truck show. "Cogswell Motor’s newest wrecker [a 2008 Peterbilt] bested more than 30 trucks to place second at the four-day event hosted by the cast of Country Music Television’s popular series 'Trick My Truck.'"

Farewell, Friend

Our condolences to the family and acquaintances of Bill Sutherland, one of the first presidents of the Virginia Association of Towing & Recovery Operators or VATRO.

His obit:

William Edward Sutherland Jr., 65, of Stafford County passed away Sunday, Aug. 3, 2008.

He was the husband of Lorraine Bernier Sutherland and was president and owner of Mount Vernon Fuel Oil Inc., t/a Woodbridge Marine.

He was past king lion of the Aquia Host Lions Club and past commander of Aquia Harbor Yacht Club. He was a member of the Mid-Potomac Power Squadron.

Mr. Sutherland was born in Alexandria March 27, 1943, the son of the late William Edward Sutherland Sr. and Bessie Cornelia Merchant Sutherland.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Carol A. Sutherland of Stafford and Billie Sue Walker and her husband, Jeffrey A., of Stafford; two sisters, Joan Rush and her husband, Jim, of West Virginia, and Patricia Roberts and her husband, Don, of West Virginia; and five grandchildren, William Christopher Sutherland, Jill Walker, Jesse Walker, Brandon Lang and Olivia Shupe.

A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 7, at Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service, Stafford Chapel, by the Rev. George Dearborn. Interment will follow in Mount Comfort Cemetery in Alexandria .

The family will receive friends Wednesday, Aug. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Aquia Host Lions Club; the Aquia Harbor Yacht Club; or to Mary Washington Hospice.

Online condolences may be made by visiting mullins thompson.com

OH Tow Truck Driver Killed

Our condolences to the family and acquaintances of 27-year old Seth Hicks, who died Friday after being struck on the side of the road. Hicks worked for Fletcher's Towing Service in Circleville.
Read the story here.

In the News: "Wrecked"

Here's a story from the Belleville News-Democrat of IL.

And another from the Chicago Tribune.

Colleagues Mourn AZ Tow Truck Driver Killed Friday

Here's the story from The Arizona Republic:

by Jim Walsh - Aug. 5, 2008 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

Jesse S. Gault of Gilbert died doing something he loved: helping other people. Jean Bunch was a nurse who devoted her career to helping children.

Gault, 44, a Navy veteran and longtime tow-truck driver, and Bunch, 56, a nurse at Phoenix Children's Hospital, died Friday in a crash on the Red Mountain Freeway in Mesa.

Gault had just finished changing Bunch's tire at about 10 a.m. when a truck driver, Albert J. Lorona, 31, of Yuma, plowed into the back of Gault's tow truck in the emergency lane. The force of the crash pushed the tow truck forward, running over Gault and Bunch as it slammed into Bunch's sport-utility vehicle, according to Sgt. Harold Sanders, a state Department of Public Safety spokesman.

Sanders said police have been unable to interview Lorona because of his condition and may never know exactly why he struck the back of Gault's tow truck in the westbound lanes near Gilbert Road because of short-term memory loss, a frequent problem for trauma victims.

After the tow truck hit the victims and the SUV, it veered across three lanes of traffic and hit the cable median barriers, preventing the truck from hitting the eastbound lanes.

Gault and Bunch were pronounced dead at the scene.

Tow-truck drivers are planning to memorialize Gault with a procession of tow trucks through the southeast Valley on Thursday night. Gault's casket will be loaded aboard a tow truck and taken to a funeral home for services, said Bryan Vivian, Gault's boss at Thompson's Auto Repair and Towing in Mesa.

"A perfect tow driver has to be willing to help. It was definitely in Jesse's blood," Vivian said. "I've had a couple of callers who called in to say how pleasant he was in providing service to them."

Bunch started as a clinical emergency-department nurse. She was reassigned in February to help the hospital move to computerized patient-treatment records.

Gault was a 20-year Navy veteran and his ashes will be spread at sea by the Navy as a tribute, Vivian said. Gault was the father of four children.

"That's what he loved in life. He loved his kids and he loved his work," Vivian said. "We were happy to get him. We will definitely miss him."

A memorial fund for Gault has been established at Wells Fargo Bank. Gault's viewing is at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Falconer Funeral Home, 251 W. Juniper Ave., Gilbert. Services are at 5 p.m. Thursday at the same location, with the procession to follow.

NH "Move Over" Law In Effect Today: Covers Tow Trucks

Here's The Eagle-Tribune story.

MA Towing Co. Under Investigation

Seems 11,000 lbs of lobster and seafood went missing after the recovery of an overturned tractor-trailer... Read the Worcester Telegram story here.

This Towing Story Is A Load of Bull

Yeah, literally! Seems Stepps Towing of FL was called to recover one large bull statue that had been stolen from a high school. Read the story here.

Texas Tow Act Story

Signed into law last year, the Texas Tow Act goes into effect on September 1. Read the story here.

Farewell, Friends

Our condolences to the family and friends of Mark Storer, the owner of Airport and Burien Towing of WA, and his youngest son Brian. They were killed last week in a floatplane accident. Read the story here.

"Wrecked" Rocks!

I don't know about you, but I'm lovin' the new SPEEDTV series "Wrecked"!
Here's a story I found about it today.

OH Tow Truck Driver Killed

Sad news... Our condolences to the family and acquaintances of the Columbus, OH tow truck driver, who worked for Fletcher's Towing. He was struck and killed on the side of the road early this morning. Read the WBNS 10TV report here.