New State Law Protects Drivers from Predatory Towing Practices
A new state law went into effect last month protecting drivers from predatory towing practices such as hiding no-parking signs and paying kick-backs to parking lot owners to tow cars from their lots. State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg and Oyster Bay Town Clerk Steve Labriola announced the new law, which was sponsored by Fuschillo and Weisenberg.
"Far too often, people have returned to a parking lot to find their car missing, only to discover that it was towed because they parked in an area without obviously visible tow warning signs" said Fuschillo, chairman of the Senate Committee on Consumer Protection. "This new law will help end these predatory practices and require parking lot owners and tow companies to be up-front and honest about their policies."
Weisenberg said, "In my own district, I have personally seen people have their cars unjustly held hostage by predatory towers with little choice other than to pay cash on the spot or have their car taken away, without any apparent justification or recourse. I am pleased that our Long Island delegation worked together in a bipartisan fashion to enact these new consumer protections and improve our quality of life."
Predatory towing has been a problem for many New York State motorists, according to Fuschillo. He also said that some tow companies have lured drivers to forbidden parking areas that do not have adequate 'no parking' signs. Others have used spotters equipped with binoculars and walkie-talkies to summon tow trucks at a moment's notice. Some tow companies have also paid kick-backs to parking lot owners who give them exclusive rights to tow cars from their lots.
Town Clerk Labriola stated, "These modern day parking lot pirates plunder the vehicles of unsuspecting motorists. This law supports legitimate towing operators by enabling law enforcement to effectively combat this corrupt behavior. No longer will kickbacks or fee splitting between lot owners and towing companies act as an incentive. These are common sense measures protecting consumers and go a long way in reforming this industry and protecting the public. I am pleased that we could work together to curb this practice of predatory towing."
The new law (S. 2360-D, chapter 328) requires private lots to conspicuously post signs stating that unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner's expense. The signs must identify the tower who removed the vehicle and the address where it can be reclaimed. Under the prior law, parking lots were only required to have signs stating the name and address of the property owner and the name of the towing company authorized to tow from the lot. There was no requirement that signs had to be conspicuously posted and the signs did not have to warn people that unauthorized vehicles will be towed at owner's expense or include contact information where people could reclaim their cars.
In addition, private lot owners are now prohibited from accepting kick-backs or sharing in any proceeds earned by towing companies that tow from their lot. Local governments are also allowed to enact their own stricter laws to combat predatory towing.
Under the new law, the State Attorney General is also given the power to stop businesses from performing such practices and seek civil damages under the new law and courts may impose a civil penalty of between $50 and $1,000 for each violation.
In March 2006, Massapequa resident Melissa Maltese's car was towed within minutes of parking it at an unattended Hicksville commuter lot. To get her car back, she had to pay $150 in cash.
"I was shocked when I returned to the parking lot and my car was gone," said Maltese. "I had to walk halfway across the lot before I saw a no parking sign. This new law will help protect New York drivers from these unfair practices."
Bruce Goldblatt, owner of Bill's Towing, said, "I've seen other tow companies engage in all kinds of aggressive practices including overcharging, no receipts, poor signage as well as parking lot owners who take kick-backs from tow operators. These predatory practices give our industry a bad name. This new law will help curb these tactics."
Local governments will also be allowed to enact their own regulations to combat predatory towing in addition to the state law. The State Attorney General will also be empowered to stop businesses from performing such practices and seek civil damages under the law.
Monday, November 17, 2008
NY's New Predatory Towing Law In Effect
Sad News From IL
- News-DemocratAn Edwardsville tow truck driver was charged with driving under the influence in connection with a Friday morning hit-and-run accident that left a Granite City man dead and his infant son critically injured.Mark Alan Ikerman, 43, of 2900 Sand Road, Lot 23, was charged Friday afternoon with two counts of aggravated DUI, leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or death and failure to report an accident involving injury or death.
Donald Lee Legens, 34, of 2879 Iowa St., was killed when a tow truck rear ended the SUV he had been driving on West Pontoon Road. His 9-month-old son, whose name was not released, was seriously injured.
Grandmother Geneva Willoughby, 71, of Venice said Legens was on his way to Wal-Mart to get diapers for "little Donny Lee," Willoughby's great-grandson. The 9-month-old is at Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center in St. Louis.
"They gave him about 12 hours to live," Willoughby said.
Willoughby said Legens, "who loves children," had four kids of his own. His wife is 7-months pregnant with their second child.
Willoughby said she has seen Ikerman where she works.
"I hope they do something with that man that hit him," she said. "He comes into the restaurant where I work, Lisa's Diner in Granite City."
Legen's grandma said she didn't see Legens very often. He worked at a collections agency in St. Louis, she said.
Legens was apparently outside of his vehicle putting gas into his 1999 Kia Sportage that was stopped in the right lane of eastbound West Pontoon Road, near Briarcliff Lane, when he was struck by the tow truck that fled the scene, according to Madison County Coroner Stephen P. Nonn.
Legens was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:20 a.m. Friday. He died as a result of head trauma.
According to police, Ikerman worked for Manheim Auto Auction in Granite City and was drunk while driving the tow truck that rear-ended the stopped SUV and drug it 300 feet down the road. Legens was outside the vehicle which had apparently run out of gas, said Granite City Police Major Jeff Connor.
Legens' son was in a car seat. He was airlifted to Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis in serious condition.
"He's still in very serious condition, it doesn't look good," Connor said.
Police said Legens had run out of gas so he took his son to a nearby gas station and returned with gas. Police said the man placed his son back in a car seat in the vehicle before refilling it when a flatbed tow truck, traveling at a high rate of speed, struck the vehicle and the man, who was refilling the SUV.
A witness to the accident followed the tow truck and called police, Connor said. The tow truck was not trying to pull over the help the disable vehicle, he said.
"We're very happy that someone from the public chose to follow the vehicle," Connor said. "We appreciate the citizen's help in this."
Police found the tow truck in the driveway of a residence around 7 a.m. Friday and arrested the driver.
Ikerman was cited for some traffic violations in 2004, but has no other felonies or DUIs in Madison County, said Stephanee Smith, spokeswoman for Madison County State's Attorney Bill Mudge.
Ikerman was expected to be transferred Friday evening from the Granite City Police Department to the Madison County Jail.
Friends erected a cross at the crash scene Friday and Lynda Curtis and Donny Ezell stopped to pay their respects. Ezell placed a flower and said they'd been friends for 20 years.
Ezell said Legens was a devoted father.
Contact reporter Maria Baran at mbaran@bnd.com or 239-2460. Contact reporter Jennifer A. Bowen at jbowen@bnd.com or 239-2667.
OK's Move Over Law Now Includes Tow Trucks
Lawton_When you are driving and you see the flashing lights of a police car or an ambulance ahead of on the right, you should move to the left lane. It isn't only a courtesy, it's the law in Oklahoma. This year, Oklahoma lawmakers added wreckers to the list of emergency vehicles in the original signed two years ago. As of November 1, if a tow truck is stopped with its lights on, and a driver doesn't move over, he or she may see a hefty fine.
7News set up a camera on the side of I-44 heading northbound out of Lawton to see if drivers were obeying the new law. The 7News car was parked behind the wrecker as though our crew was in need of help. While some drivers moved over as they should, a lot did not. Drivers could see the wrecker's lights for more than a quarter of a mile back, but some drivers just did not pay attention and make the move.
A wrecker owner for 20 years, Glen Alford communicates with other operators on an internet message board, and each day, there's always bad news. "We're standing alongside the road, 90% of the time, right with the troopers and the other police officers, he said. "It is a scary thought to be working on one, look up, and see something coming at you at 70-miles-an-hour."
He says that not a day goes by when he doesn't hear news of a wrecker operator being killed. "There's always another posting that a wrecker operator was killed somewhere in the United States," he said. "In fact, this morning I opened the mail, and there were three killed in the last 24 hours in the United States."
State troopers say that wreckers deserve to be included in the law, too. "They're on the shoulder of the road, and the vehicle may be disabled and not be able to be moved any further off the road," said Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper John Hoover. "They're working close to the side of the road, and so it's important for those guys and their safety that you slow down and move over."
However, drivers still continue to cruise past troopers with their lights on even after it being a law for two years. 7News was filming with a trooper on I-44, and a driver immediately passed just feet from the 7News car. The troopers pulled him over, and the driver told them that he wasn't aware of the law. "It could be a lifesaver if you move over, deadly if you don't," said Hoover. "The consequences of hitting someone like that, can kill them. You would probably be charged with vehicle homicide."
Troopers gave the driver a warning, and a ticket for failing to move over for any emergency vehicle carrying a fine of $206.50. As of November 1, every state in the country now requires drivers to slow down and move over for wreckers and other emergency vehicles.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Round of Applause to IL Towers!
Kudos to Worldwide Equipment Sales and all who made the Tow Trucks for Tots Parade such a success! Here's the announcement from Mick O'Sullivan of Worldwide Equipment Sales:
The Inaugural Tow Trucks for Tots Parade was held on Sunday November 9, 2008. The goals of this event were to collect toys for underprivileged children, improve upon the image of tow truck drivers and to establish a new entry for the Guinness World Records.
The temperature was a chilly 32 degrees with light rain and snow showers. All the trucks assembled at the Empress Casino parking lot in Joliet with some trucks arriving as early as 2:30 AM! One of the more interesting side notes was that a large group of towers met on the Illinois Tollway to convoy to the Empress, a sort of a parade to a parade!
A drivers meeting was held at 8:15 AM and started with the Pledge of Allegiance from Bob Skrocki of the PRTOI and then an invocation from Bob Bowers, a local tower who is the chaplain of a Christian motorcycle club. Then, Mick O'Sullivan from Worldwide Equipment Sales gave final instructions to all drivers . By then it was time to fire up the engines and start them rolling out.
We took 1-80 west to 1-55 north to Harlem Ave south to our final destination, Toyota Park . The total length of the parade route was 42 miles from start to finish , and the parade itself was a mind blowing 8 miles of tow trucks loaded with toys!
As the trucks rolled out of the Empress Casino parking lot, I felt as proud as I could to be a part of this great industry . It was an awesome sight to see the faces of the drivers, some with their children and wives in the cabs as the left on their journey to deliver their toys . It was so neat to see a continuous line of towing equipment some decked out with Christmas decorations as they made their way. We had people stop their cars and wave us on ! We saw a Marine in dress blues who stopped his car and was saluting the drivers as they passed . This was one of those moments that will stay in our hearts and minds forever!
The toys were collected at Toyota Park, and when I said toys I mean toys ! Towers brought bundles of toys, so many toys it filled three dump trucks provided by the Village of Bridgeview Public Works, as well as two moving vans provided by Two Men And A Truck . The toys that were collected are being donated to the ChicagoLand Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade. This group has some 30 years experience of collecting and distributing toys to children and families in need.
The final count of tow trucks was 239. While we did not establish a new record we did meet our two primary goals. And we can all feel good knowing that there will be many happy children this Christmas in the Chicago land area, that I can assure you!
We would like to give special thanks to Mayor Steve Landek of Bridgeview, who really pulled all his resources together to give us a great venue like Toyota Park as our destination ! Thank You, Mayor Landek!
Next year's date has already been set and plans are being made for next year's parade . Worldwide Equipment Sales dealer Principal Pat Winer said " We could not have been happier with all the great towers that participated in this event, we collected more toys then I ever thought we would . I promise that next year's event will be bigger and better than this year's " . He also went on to say " We really appreciated all that volunteered their time, without them we would not have been able to put on this world class event. "
Please visit our web page www.TowTrucksForTots.com for complete pictures andinfo on next year's event.
Click here to read a story on the event from the Southtown Star.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
CA Tower Seriously Injured In Roadside Crash
A tow truck driver was seriously injured today on Interstate Highway 680 in Danville when an alleged intoxicated driver plowed into him while he was trying to help a disabled vehicle, California Highway Patrol Officer Steve Creel said.
The crash happened at 12:05 p.m. on southbound Highway 680 south of Sycamore Valley Road, Creel said.
Richard Castro, a 28-year-old Discovery Bay resident who operated a AAA tow truck for Save Tow in San Ramon, was on the side of the highway helping the driver of a disabled Subaru Forester when he saw a two-axel truck coming toward him.
The truck driver, 50-year-old Antioch resident David Gava, veered his truck off the road for an unknown reason and crashed into the Subaru, peeling off the entire left side of the vehicle, and then striking the left side of the tow truck, Creel said.
Castro, who was standing on the left side of the tow truck, saw Gava's truck coming and tried to jump out of the way, but the impact caused him to be either struck or run over by his own vehicle, Creel said.
Castro and Gava both sustained major injuries. The driver of the Subaru was outside the vehicle during the crash and was not injured.
A fourth vehicle, an Acura TL, was also involved in the crash, but CHP officers were still trying to determine which vehicle hit it.
The driver of the Acura sustained minor injuries.
The highway was briefly shut down in both directions to allow a medical helicopter to land. The helicopter transported Castro to John Muir Medical Center in critical condition, Creel said.
A ground ambulance transported Gava and the driver of the Acura to Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley. Gava was later transferred to John Muir Medical Center, where he was treated and arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The wreckage was cleared and all lanes of the highway were reopened by about 2:45 p.m., Creel said.
Monday, November 10, 2008
MT Tower to Receive Top 10 Award in Baltimore
Nov 10, 2008 (The Montana Standard - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- SCL | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Not everyone is cut out for the job Richard "Bummer" Stepan can't get enough of."It takes a special breed," he said, of those who chose the tow truck driver career path.
He's on the clock, around-the-clock. At 3 a.m., on weekends or on holidays, call his phone and he will answer.
"You can never expect a phone call," he said. "Or it won't come." He said that the weird hours don't bother him anymore.
"It's just natural now because I've been doing it so long." Stepan has worked as a tow truck driver since 1988 and has spent the last nine years working at Yates Body Shop on Paxson Avenue.
He's been attending sessions with the national training organization WreckMaster Inc. since 2001, polishing up on the tricks of the trade.
For all his dedication, WreckMaster named him one of the top 10 tow truck drivers in the United States for 2008.
He will travel to Baltimore later this month to attend the American Towman Convention and Exposition where he will receive his award and be honored at a special luncheon event.
Lisa Yates, co-owner of the body shop, said Stepan has "proven himself to be a valuable dependable member of the Yates team." Stepan said in 20 years behind the wheel, he's seen just about everything.
"I've pulled cars out of lakes, ponds, creeks, trees," Stepan said. "You name it." One of his most difficult jobs entailed a truck that had flipped over an eight-foot retaining wall and landed square on its wheels, without as much as a dent on the fender.
Stepan and another secured cables to both ends of the truck, lifted it above the wall and set it down on the road without any further damage.
"You have to know what your truck can do and the limits of your equipment," he said. "WreckMaster is great for that." Stepan said his training sessions have taught him discipline, professionalism, customer service and the confidence to react to difficult problems.
"We want to raise the whole industry to some higher standards and be recognized for what we're worth," said Stepan.
He's attended courses in Mountain Home, Idaho, Belgrade and Loveland, Colo., as well as a regional session in Butte.
He's also an Automotive Service Excellence certified technician and qualified to do collision repair.
But his true passion is towing and recovery. He's got a WreckMaster decal on the back window of his truck and a tattoo of the company's logo on his arm.
"A special breed," he laughed. "I wasn't kidding." -- Reporter Tim Trainor may be reached via e-mail at tim.trainor@lee.net.
TX Tow Truck Operator & Customers Killed
Here's the KTBS News 3 story:
A tow truck operator and two customers were killed over the weekend when a tractor-trailer rig slammed into the truck on the shoulder of Interstate 20 near Marshall, Texas.
Texas state troopers said the 18-wheeler veered onto the eastbound shoulder just east of Marshall about 1:30 a.m. Sunday. It slammed into the flatbed tow truck, killing Marshall towing service operator Jimmy Blackburn and two customers, Terry Lee Adams of Alvarado and Clint Ray Clifton of Wolfe City.
Good Story About a CA Tower
Life gets harrowing on road for local tow truck driver
Standing inches from rushing traffic on Highway 99, Dave Klamm was focused on hooking a wrecked car to his tow truck. He wasn't watching the car hurtling toward him. But he felt it -- a whoosh that spun him around. When Klamm looked down, his shirt was torn where the car's side mirror had caught it, somehow missing flesh as it sliced through the fabric at 55 mph or more.
"Man, that was close. I tell you what, I don't want to go through that again," Klamm said.
Welcome to the life of Klamm, a 58-year-old Hanford resident who spends 12 hours a day doing a job that many think is among the most dangerous out there.
An estimated 50 to 60 tow truck drivers are killed every year on U.S. roadways, according to the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame, a Chattanooga, Tenn., organization that includes exhibits on the history of towing and a "Wall of the Fallen" recognizing tow truck drivers killed in the line of duty.
"We are first responders like the fire and police are. We just felt like we need (recognition) for our tow truck drivers too," said Georgia Hamilton, an employee at the facility.
There have been no Hanford city plaques recognizing Klamm, no ceremonies at Kings County Board of Supervisors meetings, no press releases hailing his courage.
Klamm works from a non-descript Ace's Towing office along a dilapidated stretch of East Lacey Boulevard marked by aging motels, auto part stores and empty lots.
The office amenities are a desk, a chair, a phone and a twin bed Klamm sleeps on when he works the graveyard shift.
The most attention Klamm gets is a result of the giant reflective stripes sewn to his uniform.
They are required by a recent law designed to keep vehicles from doing what one of them nearly did to Klamm that day on Highway 99, he said.
The danger is there, especially when the blanket of Tule fog descends of the Valley.
Klamm said he's arrived at many accident scenes on Highway 198, working to haul off smashed vehicles as traffic barrels through the fog a few inches away.
"I've always made a practice of getting that stuff hooked up and off the road before somebody comes along and hits us," Klamm said.
Klamm didn't always tow things for a living.
He hauled in most of his earnings as a crane operator and electrical technician, first in Fresno and later in the Bay Area.
In 1997, Klamm was making $25 to $30 an hour at a Union Oil Company of California facility in the Bay Area when he retired and moved to Hanford to care for his parents, Frankie and Konrad.
Klamm noticed that there wasn't much crane work available. So, since 2000, he's been towing, a skill he picked up at various companies in Fresno before he became a crane operator.
Klamm is resigned to the risks.
He had worse experiences as a taxi cab driver in west Fresno.
During a brief stint in the early 1970s, Klamm said his best friend, Ray, also a taxi driver, was shot and killed while on the job.
After that, Klamm got out of the taxi business for good.
But as a tow truck driver, he sees the same assortment of characters that taxi drivers deal with.
Klamm said he once arrived to find a vehicle with its rear tires burned to the ground.
Turns out the guy had been pouring gasoline in his master brake cylinder instead of brake fluid.
Klamm said the guy seemed genuinely surprised.
"He said, 'It used to work back in Georgia,'" Klamm said.
Klamm's stories of drunken clients play like a theater of the absurd.
He found one guy pouring gas into the radiator. Another was dumping gas into the engine.
Klamm's worst (or perhaps best) story described an incident where he attempted to take a drunk man and his vehicle home.
The man remembered the street he lived on, but couldn't recall the address.
So Klamm meandered along while the guy looked from house to house, trying to recall which one he lived in.
"We went up and down that damn street six times," Klamm said.
Klamm was about to dump the car and driver on the spot, but then "the guy suddenly looked up and said, 'Oh, there's my house right there.'"
"There are people like that," Klamm said.
Klamm said he likes helping people, but also finds them irritating.
What he thinks of the job doesn't much matter, however.
He needs it to "get by," as he put it.
Some employees in Kings County look forward to comfortable pensions and lengthy retirements.
Klamm looks forward to another day on a job that often puts him in the same kind of risk as so-called "first responders" -- fire, medical personnel and law enforcement.
"I would definitely rank it in the top five percent (of dangerous jobs)," said Jeff Hunter, executive director of the California Tow Truck Association.
Hunter said a California law went into effect this year that requires drivers to move into the lane away from a stopped tow truck with its lights flashing.
Hunter thinks motorists are more likely to slow down and respect law enforcement vehicles than tow trucks.
Klamm agreed.
He scoffed at the idea of retirement (He spent most of his Unocal pension money buying his Hanford house).
"Retirement is for people who don't want to work. I'll just keep towing until The Sentinel needs another bundle dropper, I guess," Klamm said with a laugh.
The reporter can be reached at 583-2432
From New Zealand
By KAY BLUNDELL - The Dominion Post | Tuesday, 04 November 2008Woman on the pull gives blokes a shock
Tired of sitting at home watching television while her husband was out towing vehicles, Pam Manning decided to become Kapiti Coast's first fully licensed "lady towie".
She was an office manager for 30 years before deciding to sit her HT licence and complete a course to get behind the wheel of one of her husband's tow trucks.
Getting the licence was "a piece of cake". She loves her job and is amused by the reactions she gets when she hops out of the cab.
"You do not often see a woman getting out of a tow truck – women are often rapt and really interested to see a woman doing what is usually a man's job," she said.
"But the men look surprised, ask if I can do the job or if they can help, especially if I am rolling around underneath the truck trying to get the winch rope attached. It is very chivalrous of them, but I just say, 'Don't worry, I have my licence, I know what I am doing.' "
She says she is "not a small girl" and has no problems using raw power to push vehicles into position to be picked up or winching them on to the truck. "I can see no reason why women cannot do it – the only thing a man can probably do is ratchet the tie-down one more notch."
Husband Bruce says he is delighted to have his wife driving trucks. "We have worked as a husband and wife team for 17 years, she has helped with salvages, which rely on trust, especially when a vehicle is 20 metres down a bank.
"There is not much she cannot do, believe me, but she has got more bolshie. She is good at her job, one of the boys. A lot of people like dealing with her at emergencies when people are upset – by the time she has had a laugh with them they are easier to deal with."
Since Mrs Manning got her licence last year, another Kapiti Coast woman has followed suit and got her licence last week.
Everyday Heroes in MA
WORCESTER— A Fall River man who allegedly tried to fool authorities with a phony tattoo is to be arraigned in Central District Court this afternoon on charges involving the robbery of the Digital Federal Credit Union on Shrewsbury Street yesterday.
Wilfred M. Cook, 33, is accused of walking into the 225 Shrewsbury St. bank yesterday about 1 p.m. and handing a note to the teller. The note demanded cash and stated he had a weapon, according to police.
Authorities believe Mr. Cook colored a teardrop tattoo under one of his eyes in an attempt to change his appearance. Later in the day when Mr. Cook was arrested, the phony tattoo was gone.
Mr. Cook ran out of the bank to nearby Casco Street, where he entered the tow yard of Pat’s Service Center and Towing.
“Several of the drivers were there and saw this guy run in,” Detective Capt. Edward J. McGinn Jr. said. “They shouted out for him to stop, but he didn’t. They chased him to the back of the lot, where he tried to jump over a fence.”
Mr. Cook got a little way up the fence, but the tow truck drivers pulled him down. At that point, some cash fell from Mr. Cook’s hands or pants, the captain said.
“The drivers tried to hold the suspect, but he pulled out a knife and swung it at two of them,” Capt. McGinn said. The drivers backed off, and Mr. Cook again tried to scale the fence.
Drivers pulled him down again, prompting Mr. Cook to swing the knife another time. Finally, the suspect was able to climb over the fence.
He jumped into a Nissan Altima and drove off. The tow truck drivers took down the license plate number and passed it on to police.
Detectives said Mr. Cook had his girlfriend’s car and were able to track him down to a Stephens Avenue home.
About 6:50 p.m., police called Mr. Cook, who was inside the home. At first Mr. Cook refused to come out, but after about 20 minutes of negotiating with Detective Sgt. Thomas R. Radula, Mr. Cook agreed to come out.
Mr. Cook is facing assault and robbery charges.
Purpose Wrecker Opens In MO
Purpose Wrecker opened its doors on Oct. 22 at 1732 Prospect Road in Wentzville, MO. Owners Ken and Sue Malpocker welcomed about 120 guests for the event and gave away a 50" plasma TV to Tom Dailey of Cynthiana, KY. Dailey was one of seven customers who purchased a truck at the event and who received an entry in the giveaway. He's pictured below with sales rep Randy Pellow. Congrats!
Purpose Wrecker can be reached by phone at 636-639-9700 or online at www.purposewrecker.com.
Shameful in PA
MOUNT PLEASANT, Pa. - State police say the owner and three employees of a towing firm plundered $16,000 worth of custom-made knives from a tractor-trailer involved in a fatal Pennsylvania Turnpike crash.
Forty-two-year-old Michael Yanuck, of Scottdale, and three employees of Diamond Towing of Mount Pleasant are charged with theft in the Aug. 23 crash.
The truck's driver was killed when the vehicle veered off a curve and crashed. Diamond is one of 20 companies with a contract to clear wreckage from the turnpike, but its contract is being terminated.
Yanuck and his company have not returned calls for comment.The truck was hauling knives for Snap-On Tools. Police say the towing employees took boxes of the custom-made knives and passed them out to emergency responders who told police about it.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
NC's Towman of the Year Chosen
Monday, November 3, 2008
Arrow's 'Back On The Road' 2009 Campaign Begins Today
Arrow Truck Sales' second “Back On The Road” initiative is now underway. Arrow will solicit stories from truckers across the nation who lost their truck, and their livelihood, through unfortunate circumstances beyond their control. The trucker whose story is selected will receive a 2006 Volvo VNL 670, courtesy of Volvo Trucks North America, a one-year work agreement with Heartland Express, as well as other products and services.
Visit www.backontheroad2009.com to make a nomination and complete rules. Nominations will be accepted through Jan. 16, 2009 and the winner will be announced in March.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
911 Tape From Lake Park, FL Tow Yard Shooting Released
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
LAKE PARK — The first time an angry man came to Lake Park Towing and then left last Wednesday, the owner of the tow yard can be heard calling police and telling them the man had "scared the heck" out of her.
When she called back because the man had returned, gunshots could be heard as the man fired outside and the owner, 53-year-old Kathryn Gadoury, was under a desk bleeding with a bullet in her back.
"Honey I got hit. Please! I'm hurt. I'm sorry," Gadoury told dispatchers in the 911 calls from the shooting incident, released today by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
The sheriff's said 51-year-old Edward Voltz, of suburban West Palm Beach, was the customer outside firing with a semi-automatic weapon. Deputies eventually shot Voltz several times after he refused to drop his weapon, according to sheriff's reports.
In the 911 call, dispatchers question Gadoury about the suspect and she asks other employees what Voltz is wearing and tells them to stay out of sight even as more gunshots ring out.
"I've been shot. I'm bleeding," she said. "He's outside. He's firing off shots left and right."
The sheriff's office released a second call from a man, whose name has not been released. He was outside with the other injured employee, Lisa Hedrick, who was shot in the arm.
"I hear the cop cars coming and I hear gunshots. That's all I know," the man said. He goes on to comfort Hedrick. "I got you baby. You're going to be OK."
Voltz, who underwent surgery at St. Mary's Medical Center, is now being held at the Palm Beach County Jail on several attempted murder charges. Sheriff's detectives say Voltz had tried to come to the yard earlier in the morning saying he needed to get his daughter's medicine out of his car but employees told him to come back with his driver license.
Man to Stand Trial in Death of Canadian Tow Truck Driver
A Winnipeg man has been ordered to stand trial for his alleged role in a two-vehicle collision that killed tow-truck driver Amanda Frizzley.
Steve Watkins, 22, was ordered to stand trial following a three-day preliminary hearing last week. A publication ban prohibits revealing certain details of the hearing, presided over by provincial court Judge Tim Preston.
Watkins has been charged with impaired driving causing death, impaired driving causing bodily harm, dangerous driving causing death and driving over the legal limit.
Frizzley, 26, was killed during the early hours of Sept. 30, 2007 when a GMC Jimmy — allegedly speeding — collided with her Dr. Hook Towing truck at the intersection of York Avenue and Donald Street in downtown Winnipeg.
Watkins suffered serious injuries in the crash and spent weeks in hospital, initially in serious but stable condition.Footage from a surveillance camera at the nearby Best Western Charterhouse Hotel showed a westbound sport utility vehicle — travelling the wrong direction on York, a one-way street — crashing into Frizzley’s truck as she was southbound on Donald, the hotel’s manager previously told the Winnipeg Sun.
The truck overturned with Frizzley and a passenger inside. The passenger suffered non-life threatening injuries.
Friday, October 24, 2008
JerrDan Receives PA Recognition
JerrDan Receives Award in Pennsylvania
Oct 23, 2008 4:17 PM
JerrDan Corporation, an Oshkosh Corporation company, received the 2008 Franklin County (Pennsylvania) Area Development Corporation (FCADC) Large Business Award. JerrDan was awarded by the FCADC Industry Appreciation Committee.
The award criteria for large businesses are those that employ more than 100 full-time employees, have been in operation for at least five consecutive years and contribute to the overall economic and civic well being of Franklin County.
“At JerrDan, we pride ourselves on our dedicated, determined and talented employees. JerrDan is committed to investing in our people and business in support of sustained growth, world-class competitiveness, and ultimately our future,” said Mike Baer, vice president of Operations, who accepted the award on behalf of JerrDan management attending the event. “We believe in being innovative and creative while delivering high quality products and services.”
In 2008, JerrDan invested $4.5 million in improvements and expansion to their wrecker production facility located on Molly Pitcher Hwy in Greencastle. The development provides JerrDan with additional capacity to meet the growing demand and streamline the wrecker product manufacturing processes in line with the company’s “lean” manufacturing initiative.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Shooter Wounds Two Tow Company Employees in FL
LAKE PARK — A man wielding a semiautomatic assault rifle went on a rampage at a tow yard Wednesday morning, wounding two employees and firing at a sheriff's deputy before the deputy shot him down in a brief gunfight, authorities said.
Edward F. Voltz Jr., 51, of suburban West Palm Beach twice drove to Lake Park Towing, at 803 13th St., to confront employees Wednesday, a Palm Beach County sheriff's spokesman said.
On his second visit, just after 9 a.m., Voltz told the owner that he needed to retrieve his daughter's medicine from her car, which had been towed to the yard after a crash Tuesday night. Voltz said that without the medicine, his daughter would die in three hours, said Lisa Hedrick, a dispatcher for the tow company.
Skeptical employees told him to come back with a driver license.
"We thought he was going back out for proof of ownership," Hedrick said. "Instead, he came back and started shooting."
In the moments that followed, Hedrick and her boss, Kathryn Gadoury, were wounded as they tried to flee the gunman, who squeezed off shots without saying a word, sheriff's officials said.
Both women were taken to nearby St. Mary's Medical Center, where Gadoury, 53, was treated for a gunshot wound to the hip. Hedrick was shot through the elbow. Both women were released from the hospital Wednesday afternoon.
Voltz, riddled with bullets after a gunfight with a sheriff's deputy, also was taken to St. Mary's. He underwent emergency surgery and was expected to survive, sheriff's officials said.
Voltz was "heavily armed" when he returned to the tow company, said Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, who would not say how many or what types of weapons Voltz carried.
When Voltz started shooting, Hedrick said, she huddled under a desk with Gadoury, a truck driver and another employee.
"I lost count after 15," Hedrick said. "He finished off one clip and reloaded the second."
Employees dialed 911 as the company truck driver retrieved a handgun. He fired at Voltz, Bradshaw said, but it wasn't clear whether any of those shots hit the gunman.
Next door, Jill Chisholm, who manages the office at Ledbetter Masonry, heard five or six sharp cracks and looked out the window.
"I saw the shooter come out to get in his vehicle," said Chisholm, who described the gunman as a light-haired, scruffy-looking man who carried an AK-47-style rifle. "Then he walked back in, and I heard some more gunshots, but they were a different sound, maybe three or four."
As Voltz walked back to his blue Chevrolet Suburban sport utility vehicle, the deputy drove up, Chisholm said.
The deputy saw Voltz carrying a pistol and the assault rifle and watched as he leaned into the SUV and dropped the handgun, Bradshaw said. Still standing by the window, just 50 yards away, Chisholm said, she saw the deputy grab the gunman.
"The guy fell to the ground," Chisholm said. "He has the big gun in his hand, and he shoots at the officer. The officer fires back.
"Then the gentleman got up, and he went to the back of the vehicle. The officer went around the driver side of the vehicle, and they were still exchanging gunfire.
"I saw the shooter with the blood on him, and then he went down to the ground, but he was still shooting. There were a lot of shots."
When the shooting stopped, Chisholm said, she looked up to see Voltz on the ground, the deputy standing over him.
"The suspect pointed the rifle at him," Bradshaw said. "The bottom line is the deputy defended himself."
The deputy, whose name was not released Wednesday, has been with the sheriff's office since October 2005 and was assigned to patrol the Lake Park district, sheriff's spokeswoman Teri Barbera said. He was placed on paid administrative leave, routine after police shootings.
On Wednesday afternoon, Tom Gadoury, 25, who co-owns the business with his mother, stopped by the yard to take stock. He said doctors released Kathryn Gadoury with a bullet embedded in her hip. She declined to talk about the shooting.
"Right now she's in a lot of pain, and she's trying to be comfortable," he said, adding that doctors will decide in the next few days whether to remove the bullet.
Bob Miller, a family friend who said he got out of the towing business two years ago because he was tired of dealing with angry people, described Kathy Gadoury as "really tough" but "a real sweetheart."
Authorities still were investigating what set Voltz off. A husband and father, he never had been arrested in Florida, state records show. His wife filed for divorce in June 2007, and proceedings are pending, according to court documents.
Annette Voltz, a nurse, said she has not seen her husband since August 2007. She said she didn't think their daughter was sick.
Out of the hospital, Hedrick, the dispatcher, returned to the tow yard Wednesday afternoon. In the future, she said, "the customer's always right."
Staff writers Bill DiPaolo and Sonja Isger and staff researcher Niels Heimeriks contributed to this story.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Follow Up to Sept. 24th Post: Home Fire May Have Killed Suspect in Attempted Murder
A man found dead in his burning home Tuesday is believed to be the same man charged recently with attempted murder after the shooting of a tow truck driver at the same Phoenix property, police said.
Police did not identify Jesse Corman by name, but believe his body is the one recovered from his home in the 3700 block of West Dailey Street.
Phoenix firefighters responded to the blaze before 8 p.m. Tuesday in the neighborhood near Thunderbird Road and 35th Avenue. Corman's wife suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation, police said. She told first-responders that Corman was despondent. Neighbors also reported that Corman was seen sauntering suspiciously outside the home.
"He was walking around the house with a lighter in his hand saying he wanted to end it all," Phoenix police Sgt. Tommy Thompson said.
Corman, 28, faced felony charges of attempted murder, endangerment and discharging a firearm in city limits, according to court records after the Sept. 21 shooting of the tow truck driver. His bail had been set at $200,000 by Maricopa County Court Commissioner Jerry Bernstein.
Corman was accused of shooting the driver with an assault rifle before barricading himself at the home. During the incident, he also reportedly flashed a laser and shot fireworks at an overhead police helicopter.
Neighbors said Corman lived on Dailey Street most of his life. His father lives next-door.
Some were shocked to see he was out of jail after the prior incident that frightened residents in the area.
"I just don't know why after he shot the tow truck driver, held the neighborhood up all night and kept an arsenal of guns in his home, why he would be let out of jail," said next-door neighbor Colleen Dwyer.
Register NOW for ExtricationFest 2009
New Venue In an effort to better support the needs of both our students and exhibitors we have moved our venue to the Will Rogers Coliseum in downtown Ft Worth. Among many other things, this new location will eliminate the noise and distractions we experienced during classes, while offering exhibitors a much greater exposure. This new location is centered in the heart of the Ft Worth cultural district providing students and vendors with a very enjoyable week end of fun, fellowship and a world of learning.
Exhibit Hall The exhibit hall located on the main floor of the coliseum will be open:
Friday Feb 27th from 9:00 - 5:00 pm Saturday Feb 28th from 9:00 - 5:00pm
Vendors will be allowed to move in on Thursday Feb 26th from 8:00 - 5:00 pm.
Student Registration Student Registration will be Friday Feb 27th from 9:00 to 4:00 pm. At the TEEX registration booth located at the main entrance
Classes Schedules Notice: In an effort to increase hands-on training time, all class room sessions for each level will be held:
Friday evening from 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Students must attend class room sessions to participate in the hands-on classes.
Hands on classes for all auto extrication levels will be:
Saturday 8:00 – 5:00 pm Sunday 8:00 - 4:00 pm
Hands on classes for Big Rig Rescue will be:
Saturday 8:00 – 5:00pm.
Sponsorship Packages are available (Details are listed on the website)
Vendors Booths and Truck Spaces are also available inside the coliseum
You will also find we have a completely new website that is much easier to navigate. It is still the same address.
All details and registration forms are now online at www.midsouthrescue.org
Many thanks to: Mat Jack our first Gold sponsor of ExtricationFest! 2009
Monday, October 20, 2008
IN Deputy Killed While Assisting Tow Truck Operator
Here's the WTHR news story:
Bloomington - A Monroe County deputy died Sunday afternoon after she was struck by a vehicle while on duty Friday night.
Deputy Sara Jones, who had joined the sheriff's department earlier in the year, was pronounced dead at 12:15 Sunday afternoon.
Shortly after 10:30 pm Friday, Deputy Jones was directing traffic at the scene of an accident on SR 45 just west of Bloomington when she was struck by a Jeep driven by 16-year-old Bree Myers of Bloomington.
Deputy Jones had been assisting a local wrecker service pull a vehicle from a ravine on the north side of the road. While Deputy Jones was directing traffic, Myers' Jeep struck Jones with the left front of her vehicle.
"I mean, I have never seen anything like that," wrecker driver Mike Sims said. "I was pulling the truck up out of the ditch and I heard the sound of glass breaking. When I turned to look, I seen the officer being struck by the vehicle."
Sims said there was plenty of warning for drivers to slow down at the scene of the first accident.
"[I] had my lights on, sheriff's car was behind me and had its lights on and she was carrying a flashlight," he said.
Police say Myers was driving 45 miles an hour when she struck Jones - five miles an hour below the posted speed limit.
"Well, you get a lot of gawkers when you are working and accidents," Sims said. "It could be she wasn't paying attention to the road and was looking to see what was going on and didn't see her."
Monroe County Sheriff James Kennedy said the accident is far too common.
"Accident scenes are extremely dangerous," he said. "We have lost more police officers in the last few years from traffic accidents and being out on the highway than any other single cause."
The impact from the Jeep knocked the deputy's badge off her shirt. She suffered multiple injuries from the crash and was transported by ambulance to Bloomington Hospital. Jones was air-lifted to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis in critical condition Saturday night.
Myers was transported to Bloomington Hospital but was not injured. State Road 45 was shut down until Indiana State Police investigators could re-construct the crash scene.
Arrangements for Deputy Jones are pending, according to Sheriff Kennedy. Black flags were placed on sheriff's cars in the county and flags were lowered to half staff Sunday afternoon in memory of the fallen deputy.
Marty Decker, the vice president of F.O.P. #88 in Monroe County, issued a reminder to residents that they are not at this time collecting for any kind of fund for Deputy Jones.
"If or when we would do so, we will most certainly not do such a solicitation by phone," Decker said in a statement e-mailed to Eyewitness News.
A "Move Over Law" Being Sought in MA After Trooper is Injured
State Trooper Dana Cresta had no time to run. As he stood in the breakdown lane of the Massachusetts Turnpike, investigating a car crash early yesterday, a fast-moving 2008 Nissan Maxima careened into him. The impact sent Cresta through the Nissan's windshield.The trooper survived, but he sustained serious injuries and was taken to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
The accident was a prime example of the dangers troopers face when they pull over to investigate crashes or make traffic stops. Now, some legislators have renewed calls for a state law that would require highway drivers to move out of the right lane when emergency vehicle lights are flashing.
State Representative Christine E. Canavan, a Brockton Democrat, said she has been sponsoring the legislation, called the "Move Over Law," because too many police officers and tow truck drivers are hurt or killed on the side of the highway every year by errant drivers.
"So many states do something and we don't," Canavan said yesterday.
Her proposal would require drivers on highways of two lanes or more to give wide berth to emergency vehicles parked on the roads with their lights flashing. Drivers would also be required to slow to speeds 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit, or face a ticket of at least $100.
Canavan said she has sponsored the legislation four times in eight years. Although she has never heard opposition to the measure, it has failed to win approval. She said her current bill is mired in a legislative committee, where it has been included in omnibus bills.
Forty-three states have passed similar laws, according to the group Move Over America, a coalition of national law enforcement agencies that advocate for the measure. Earlier this year, New Hampshire enacted the law, expanding it to include construction trucks with amber lights used by its Department of Transportation workers. Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, as well as Delaware, Hawaii, and Nebraska, are the only states, as well as Washington, D.C., that have not.
The Massachusetts Association of Chiefs of Police supports the Move Over America law. President A. Wayne Sampson laughed when asked whether he thought the Legislature would approve the measure.
"We're not aware of a single person opposed to it," he said.
Sampson said some research by national law enforcement groups has shown that drivers are sometimes mesmerized by the spinning lights on emergency vehicles and inadvertently drive toward them on the highway.
"People focus on the lights and the brighter they are, the more it distracts them," he said. "We have deep concerns for every officer that makes a moving stop at any time of day."
The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, which oversees the State Police, also supports the legislation. Spokesman Terrell Harris said he did not have information on the number of police officers injured each year on highways, but the legislation is considered to be a benefit to police safety.
Harris said it is impossible to say whether the law would have prevented yesterday's crash. For one thing, the driver of Nissan was charged with drunk driving. For another, drivers don't always abide by traffic laws.
"Incidents like this are always discouraging to the people who try to keep us safe," Harris said. "But those people aren't going to let it stop them from going out and doing their jobs to the best of their ability."
The Towing and Recovery Association of America estimates that about 55 tow truck drivers are killed each year in the United States.
In Massachusetts, two tow truck drivers were killed in 2004 as they sat in the breakdown lane along Interstate 495 in Brockton.
Timothy Kelly, 23, of Bridgewater, and Jarrod Drew, 24, of Brockton, worked for A-1 Affordable Towing of West Bridgewater. Drew was there to help Kelly, whose truck had broken down on the highway.
As the two men worked in the breakdown lane shortly before dawn on Feb. 20, they were struck by Daniel Cummings, 21, of Raynham.
Cummings later pleaded guilty to two counts of motor vehicle homicide and was sentenced to four to five years in jail.
Yesterday's crash occurred shortly before 3 a.m. on the Mass. Pike in Newton. Cresta had been investigating an earlier crash; the occupants of that car had fled. He was struck by a Nissan driven by Patrick J. Sullivan, 23, of 84 Parker Road in Framingham.
Cresta sustained injuries to his head, face, legs, and ribs. Police described his condition as serious, but improving.
Sullivan was not injured. He was arrested and charged with operating under the influence, operating in a break down lane, and operating to endanger. He will be arraigned this week, State Police said.
Material from the Associated Press was used in this story.
Megan Woolhouse can be reached at mwoolhouse@globe.com.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Man Fatally Crushed at IN Salvage Yard
A Muncie auto salvage yard worker was killed when a sport-utility vehicle fell from a winch, crushing him underneath.Delaware County Coroner James Clevenger said Michael L. "Tiny" Bodenhofer, 30, probably died instantly when the SUV fell Monday.Clevenger called the death "a very unfortunate accident." He said Bodenhofer had used a flatbed wrecker and a winch cable to lift the 1,200-pound SUV by the bumper, so he could climb beneath it and remove some parts. Clevenger said the bumper gave way, dropping the vehicle on Bodenhofer's chest.Co-workers at Northwest Auto and Truck parts found his body at about 10 a.m., but Clevenger said the accident occurred earlier in the morning.
Deadly Days
In CA, also on Monday, a motorist was killed when a tow truck and passenger car collided on a freeway covered with smoke from a brush fire. Here's the KTLA.com story.
Last Thursday, a pedestrian in TX died after stepping in front of a tow truck. Here's the MyFox Houston story.
Also on that Thursday, a CA woman was killed in her driveway by a van that had come loose from a tow truck. Here's the CBS5.com story.
Earlier in the month, a ME woman was killed after the van she was traveling in hit a tow truck. Here's the MaineToday.com story.
NC Towers Meet About Regulations
By Laura Fowler
Ten & Nightside Edition Producer
Published: October 13, 2008They can either be your best friends or your worst enemies.
But either way, tow truck drivers in the east say they have the right to set their own rates.The Highway Patrol wants to set a standard price for towing cars from traffic collisions.
But some tow truck drivers say that’s not fair and they need to set their own prices to cover their costs.A group of these drivers are meeting tonight at Parkers Barbecue on Memorial Drive in Greenville to talk about fighting this mandate.
The meeting starts at 6:30.
NC Towers Face New State Regulations on Jan. 1
By Arthur Mondale
Reporter
Published: October 13, 2008Drivers will soon no longer have to guess how much a tow will cost them--that’s because starting next year everyone in our state will soon be paying the same price.
The Highway Patrol says it’s a way to protect the public from being over charged.
This has tow truck drivers in the east fuming and telling drivers to prepare for greater costs.
Towers like Alton Tate, prides himself on getting drivers out of the occasional sticky situation in no time, all at a fair price of course.
But that may soon change.
“This tow right here is probably about $50,” said Tate. “Versus if the Highway Patrol would of got called to this. It would have been $500 the way they’re trying to set it up now.”
Which has other drivers seeing red.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol wants uniformity on the roads when it comes to how much towers like Tate charge drivers like you and I.
Some troopers say they’ve seen single tows exceed $1,200.
Towers say the high patrol is asking for collision totals, non-collision totals and cost of labor per hour from every tow truck driver in our state, in an effort to produce a median which will be used to keep companies from robbing customers.
Towers say the mandate will in turn rob drivers and the towing industry.
“Everybody’s cost expenditures are different,” said John Nightingale. “They want one price that fits all.”
But prices aren’t in stone, each year during the month of November, towing companies will have to re-submit the numbers.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol’s Wrecker Policy goes into effect January 1, 2009.
The highway patrol will also mandate that companies which store vehicles charge a $10 fee per day.
Most tow truck drivers we spoke with are already charging between $25 to $40 dollars on average to store a vehicle for a day.
IL Tow Truck Drivers Want To Set Record
Click here for a PDF document on the parade.
Here's the story on the Nov. 9 event from the Southtown Star.
A group of tow truck operators is trying to make Christmas special for thousands of boys and girls this year while attempting to set a world record in the process.
They're also hoping the goodwill effort will help improve their industry's reputation, which has been tarnished by tow operators who were charging customers exorbitant fees and holding cars for ransom.
More than 400 tow truck operators and their rigs are expected to form a continuous convoy that will wind its way from the Empress Casino in Joliet to Toyota Park in Bridgeview on Nov. 9.
The trucks will begin lining up about 5 a.m. outside the Empress Casino.
Each of the trucks is expected to be filled with toys for the Toys for Tots program.
Organizer Pat Winer, owner of Worldwide Equipment in Rockdale, said he hopes the event becomes an annual occurrence.
"The idea is to collect as many toys as we can and fill as many trucks as we can for deserving boys and girls," Winer said.
He said the group still is looking for donations of toys, especially for children younger than 4 and between 12 and 18.
Winer said sports equipment is always a hit with the older kids.
He said the Guinness Book of World Records has determined the longest continuous tow truck line (a minimum of two miles long and not interrupted by other vehicles) was 83 trucks in Wenatchee, Wash., in 2004.
In September, a convoy of 292 tow trucks attempted to break the record in New York City.
Winer said the results on whether the record was broken will be known in a few months.
"We're trying for 400 to 500 trucks," he said. "We've gone to all the towing agencies and tow trade shows and invited whomever we could.
"And we've been working the phones," Winer said. "The only thing standing in our way of making this a huge success will be snow. That could be a problem."
For more information or to make a financial or toy donation, call Winer at (630) 878-9837.
Jim Hook can be reached at jhook@southtownstar.com or (708) 633-5961.
Monday, October 13, 2008
1948 Willys Tow Truck
1948 WILLYS TOW TRUCK PICKUP TRUCK
1948 Willys Tow Truck; color is Tan with black interior. Has 4 wheel drive, bought from original owner in 1948, kept inside, well taken care of. Asking $12,500. Located in Vineland, NJ. For more information, please call 856-691-0820 or 856-692-6373.Price: $12,500.
VINELAND, NJ
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
NJ Towing Fee Bill Clears Hurdle
TRENTON A bill sparked by the death of a Mantua Township man took a step forward last week.
The bill would cap automotive towing fees at $100 for the first three days following an accident in which the owner was killed or seriously injured.
Sponsored by Senator Stephen Sweeney, the bill is aimed at protecting families who suffer the loss of a loved one from being taken advantage of by towing or storage facilities, according to Sweeney.
The bill, S-564, was approved by the Senate Law, Public Safety, and Veteran's Affairs Committee
Sweeney said that, if it is signed into law, the measure will be named Daniel Mackay's Law, in memory of the 18-year-old man who was killed in a traffic accident on I-295 in June 2006.
"When Daniel's family went to retrieve his car, they had trouble tracking down the location where the car was being stored," Sweeney said. "When they finally located the vehicle, the family was hit with a bill of almost $650 for towing and storage."
The bill would require the law enforcement officer responsible for notifying the next of kin to provide written information for contacting the vehicle storage facility and obtaining a copy of the accident report.
The measure would also cap storage fees at $100 for the first 72 hours after the vehicle is placed on the premises.
The bill passed the Assembly in February. It now heads to the Senate for a full vote.
$70,000 Raised for Injured MN Tow Truck Driver
A fund-raiser Saturday raised more than $70,000 for a Detroit Lakes man injured Sept. 9 while helping stage a bus crash for a Becker County disaster drill, according to Detroit Lakes Police investigator Chad Jutz.Mike Smith, 44, remains at the Hennepin County Medical Center, recovering from serious injuries incurred in the accident
About 2,000 people attended the benefit, held Saturday night at the Soo Pass Ranch where the accident occurred.
It raised $71,727, according to Jutz.That includes $22,500 raised Friday during a KRCQ Radio A-thon in which local business and listeners were asked to donate. It also includes a $1,000 matching grant from Thrivent, Jutz said.
Smith owns and operates Lakes Country Towing in Detroit Lakes and was using one of his wreckers to tip a converted school bus for the drill. A freak accident caused the school bus to push the wrecker down an incline.
Smith tried to jump into his truck to put on the brakes and was caught half in and half out, suffering crushing injuries when the truck sideswiped a tree.
He suffered extensive injuries, including a crushed pelvis and the loss of his left leg.
On Sunday, this message was posted on Smith’s CaringBridge Web site:
“Just got off the phone with Mike and Julie .... they would like to thank everyone for attending and supporting the benefit!!
They especially want to extend their sincere and deepest thanks to the benefit committee and volunteers who have spent countless hours — organizing, marking and posting silent and live auction items — auditing, cooking, serving, cleaning, parking lot attendants, beer ticket sellers, bartenders, silent/live auction check out, security, clean crew, and the entertainers - sorry if they missed someone.
Thanks to WE Fest and Jim Fletcher for the use of the facilities.
Mike and Julie are amazed at the number of people and businesses who donated items to the silent and live auction. Without the generosity of everyone, including the attendees, the benefit would not have been a giant success.
Both Mike and Julie regret that the Webcam wouldn't work due to the Internet connection available at HCMC, and the fact they couldn’t attend the benefit.
Today is another long, slow day of waiting. Mike didn't have dialysis today — his kidneys seem to be improving and working a little bit more each day. Surgery is scheduled tomorrow to repair (put screws in) the back of Mike’s pelvis near the area where the pelvis meets the spinal column, and of course dialysis continues tomorrow as well.
The Benefit Committee extends their thanks as well to all the media, the volunteers, the entertainers and the generous donations and contributions of so very many people. We are overwhelmed by all the support – Thank you, everyone!!! — Dawn”
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
California Association of Licensed Repossessors Fall Convention & Repo Rodeo on Oct. 16-18
One Year Later, Tow Truck Driver's Family & Friends Remember
Family, friends and co-workers gathered at the corner of York Avenue and Donald Street today at 4:30 a.m. to remember Amanda (Mandy) Frizzley.
The 26-year-old woman was killed at that location one year ago at about that time when the tow truck she was operating was struck by a driver who was allegedly going the wrong way down York at excessive speed.
Friends painted a cross and the number 403, Frizzley's tow truck number, on the street, as well as placing a wreath and flowers on the corner. (Wayne Glowacki / Winnipeg Free Press )
“I am guessing probably 50-60 people turned out,” commented Frizzley’s father Craig. “It went very well.”
Frizzley’s co-workers painted 403, the unit number of her truck, on the road to commemorate the spot where she died.
“This was the anniversary of the day that she was killed right after 4 in the morning,” said Craig Frizzley. “The other reasons (for holding the vigil) were that we really wanted to get the word out about the preliminary hearing of the accused, which is scheduled for Oct. 22-24.”
Steve Watkins faces charges of driving impaired causing death, driving over the legal .08 blood-alcohol limit and criminal negligence causing death, according to court documents.
“Also everyone there wanted the public to know that we’re just not going to stand for these criminal acts and impaired driving on our streets.”
“Its been a year of dealing with it,” said Craig Frizzley, adding, “but (hopefully) final closure will come when the judicial system doesn’t fail us.”
Frizzley’s mother Janet said in a prepared release that the vigil was a chance to raise awareness, and remind the public and the justice system that driving drunk causes devastation, destruction and the death of far too many innocent victims.
“Absolutely nothing can bring Mandy back,” she said. “Our concern is not about revenge, it is justice for Mandy, and a benchmark to ensure that other families like ours do not have to live through the horror of losing a child to an alleged drunk driver.”
allan.besson@freepress.mb.ca