Wisconsin
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Team Bills would like to say Thank You to Platts Garage and Wisconsin Towing Association for the Awsome Day. Mark Thanks again for Hosting the Meeting, Beverages and Lunch alot hard work Very Nice!!! I can not believe how big the ice cubes are!! Bills Towing and Auto Repair.
Last reply by Bill Sellner, -
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From The Wisconsin Department of Transportation - Safe driving doesn’t have to be tricky. Pay attention to the road ahead, drive for conditions, #BuckleUpPhoneDown, and we're off to a good start. Be safe out there this weekend.
Last reply by Metrotow, -
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RESOURCE LINK with video
Last reply by TowZone, -
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Freeway Service Driver Struck and Killed in Racine, Wisconsin I'm incredibly shocked at this morning’s fatality of a freeway service patrol (tow truck driver) operator who was killed in a hit and run crash, possibly by a semi, attempting to remove debris from highway lanes in, Racine, Wisconsin. It was reported that the tower allegedly went into lanes to remove an item of debris when he was struck. The news reported the tower had over-head lights on, but law enforcement was not on scene and no traffic break was mentioned. A solid lesson learned if it's meant to be had. Christine and I pray for the tow operator’s family, the highway authority and the tow company he wo…
Last reply by mushspeed, -
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ROCK COUNTY, Wisc. (KCRG) - Dashcam video shows a vehicle slamming into the back of a tow truck in Wisconsin, which narrowly misses hitting a worker on the side of the road. It happened along I-39/90 on Feb. 9 in Rock County, Wisconsin, according to the Department of Transportation. In Wisconsin and Iowa, drivers are required to move over or slow down when approaching emergency vehicles that have warning lights flashing, including tow trucks. It's known as the 'Move Over Law.' In the last three years, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation said there have been more than 2,300 violations of the law. There were 922 convictions in 2019…
Last reply by yoBdaBenO, -
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Jan 28 2017 Funeral procession of tow trucks honoring Danny Sancinati of N&S towing Inc. West Allis Wi. Not pictured in this video is the first truck in the funeral procession with the Danny's sons race car and another truck which can be seen leaving on a call at the very first few seconds of the video. Always on duty even at a funeral, they restlessly work. Counting all trucks displaying lights, and a couple not seen in this video there were 65 trucks. Also pictured at the end are local law enforcement, including a 1940 Chevy pick up which N&S helped donate as well as others to the Greenfield P.D. as a DARE vehicle.. I would also like…
Last reply by TowNews, -
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VIDEO only available on News Channel Website. MARATHON COUNTY, Wis. (WSAW) -- A towing ban is in effect in Marathon County Sunday, which means no cars can be towed out of the ditch unless it's approved by the sheriff's department. Local towing company Joe Rader Towing says, if you do see a crash scene with first responders and tows, it's crucial to move over a lane and slow down. "We're on the side of the road trying to do our job, and they're not slowing down at all, so it's a big safety concern," said Joe Rader. The sheriff's department issues a towing ban to companies like Joe Rader towing for the safety of tow truck drivers. "The cars t…
Last reply by rreschran, -
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Local officials concerned with growing number of first responder deaths nationwide News Video Added when available "See Link Below" FOND DU LAC, Wis. (WBAY) - The numbers are alarming: In the first two weeks of 2020, seven first responders were hit and killed while doing their jobs on roadways across the country. "These are unnecessary deaths. They are absolutely preventable," says Fond du Lac Fire Chief Peter O'Leary. The deadly start to the new year has caught the attention of local public safety officials. Dashcam video caught a near miss in Fond du Lac County on a snow covered road last year, the deputy scrambling o…
Last reply by TowNews, -
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A tow truck driver injured in a horrific crash in August is still recovering. Here's how you can help. @Metrotow
Last reply by TowNews, -
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RESOURCE IAFF Local 4724 FB Page New Berlin units on scene with a semi and tow truck rollover with multiple injuries. South Bound Moorland Rd at Beloit Rd will be shut down for some time.
Last reply by TowZone, -
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A benefit car show will be held Sunday, September 22 for tow operator Joe Altenhofen. “Joe is a long-time employee of Ray’s Towing,” states an event press release. “He was tragically hit on the job Monday, August 26 on Highways 43/94 by a semi-truck while towing away an accident vehicle. Joe suffered numerous broken bones and will be out of work while recovering. Please bring your family and friends to show your support.” The show will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Herman’s Auto Clinic, 6100 S. Howell, Milwaukee, WI 53207. The show will include: • Raffles • Donation jar • $10 donation per vehicle • Music and more All proceeds will go directly to Joe Altenhofen.…
Last reply by TowBot, -
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MILWAUKEE — A semitruck slammed into a tow truck that was at the scene of a separate crash Monday morning in the Mitchell Interchange. It happened about 11:15 a.m. and closed all the southbound lanes of I-43 through the interchange for more than four hours. The semitruck cab separated from its base after striking the tow truck, and the trailer flipped on its side blocking all three lanes of traffic, Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office said. The tow truck slammed into the wall, and the driver was trapped in the cab of the vehicle. He was extricated by the Milwaukee Fire Department and taken to an area hospital with serio…
Last reply by yoBdaBenO, -
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Investigation underway after crash involving tow truck, car near 55th and Sheridan MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee police are investigating a crash that happened late Wednesday night, Aug. 21 near 55th and Sheridan. A tow truck and a car were involved. It appears the force of the crash sent the tow truck into a nearby home. The damage appears to be extensive. RESOURCE LINK
Last reply by TowNews, -
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Emergency workers honor man who always helped them By KAREN MADDEN Daily Tribune Staff For about 60 years, emergency workers in the south Wood County area knew they could count on Herbert A. Nieman. Nieman, who died Saturday at the age of 93, started Nieman's Service in 1945. He responded with his wrecker in nice weather, rain or snow, said Wood County Sheriff Thomas Reichert. "He was truly a friend of law enforcement and a friend of our community," Reichert said. Herbert Nieman's family heard first-hand during his visitation Tuesday how the community felt, said his son, Bill Nieman, 53. People who had known him since World War II told family members they …
Last reply by Nieman's Towing, -
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Mike Skreke with Birger Eklov's Red 1960's International Tow Truck So you slid off the icy road and into a deep ravine; you’ve really done it this time! You are OK but shook up; you and perhaps the officer who arrived on the scene, both agreed you really were in need of towing and recovery assistance. A quick SOS to one of the area places that just does that might have been a call to Sleepy Hollow, 1225 N. Main St., Viroqua. Quite possibly you might have had longtime Westby resident and Sleepy Hollow employee, Mike Skrede, who showed up with his tow truck, as he was (and still is) on 24/7/365 call with Sleepy Hollow. He would have broug…
Last reply by TowNews, -
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GRATIOT TOWNSHIP, Wis. - A Darlington teen crashed his car into a tow truck after falling asleep behind the wheel, according to a release by the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office. The crash happened Tuesday on State Highway 11 in Gratiot Township. Matthew J. King, 16, of Darlington, was driving eastbound on State Highway 11 when he fell asleep and went into the other lane of traffic, according to the release. His vehicle ended up hitting a tow truck. Alex R. Douglas, 41, of Darlington, was driving the tow truck, according to the release. No one was hurt, but as mentioned in the news release, King’s vehicle was damaged and t…
Last reply by TowNews, -
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The Wisconsin Towing Association recently sent out a survey titled, “Tell Us About Your Company.” The survey included the usual company information: Name, address, and a brief company history, along with an opportunity to comment on lessons learned, the biggest misconceptions of tow operators, training and certification, and final thoughts. As I read the responses, several themes began to surface. Comments on the biggest misconception of tow operators were not good: “Dirty,” “uneducated,” “dishonest” or “un-reputable” and “not considered professionals.” This is something I believe our industry has to continue working on to improve. Both in-house and outside training (…
Last reply by TowBot, -
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KENOSHA COUNTY (CBS 58) – A Wisconsin State Patrol squad car was hit by an impaired driver Sunday evening. According to the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, the State Patrol squad was on scene of a different crash along with a tow truck, when both vehicles were hit. It happened around 7:15 p.m. on Interstate 41 near Bristol. Authorities say there were several people in the striking car but no one had life threatening injuries. The sheriff’s office is looking into charges for the impaired driver. RESOURCE LINK
Last reply by TowNews, -
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Just for fun ... I read an article having to do with law enforcement in one Wisconsin county declaring a "Snow Ban" where they are not going to call tow trucks out so towers can get some much needed rest. Read the link: https://www.wsaw.com/content/news/No-tow-ban-implemented-in-Marathon-Co-tow-truck-drivers-say-theyre-thankful-505541851.html Because snow days are brutal to towers who work those conditions, being tired and over-worked IS a safety consideration. However, because we're in business to make money during those snow events, do you thinks it's smart to hold-back on call-volume in the best interest of operator safety? I remember those days working …
Last reply by GRUMPS The Towman, -
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Rodney F. "Rod" Pichelman, age 60, died Friday, November 6, 2009 at home under the care of his family and Aspirus Comfort Care. Rod married his wife Diane on August 3, 1968 and in 1973 together they started "Rod's Wrecker Service". They began with 2 tow trucks and built the business to include 6 trucks, a repair garage and employ 6 people. He was an active member of the Wisconsin Towing Association and shared his knowledge as an instructor at many training seminars. Rod was a soft spoken gentleman and will be missed by everyone who knew him. Niemans Towing said: He was a great guy he will be missed god bless his family & friends , be safe Chris Niema…
Last reply by AWT902, -
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GREEN BAY, Wis. — A friend and co-worker of the tow truck driver hit and killed is remembering him as a super guy with a great dedication to his work. Glenn's Towing president Darrell Henninger said that Jesse Hettmann always wanted to learn more and quickly went from employee to co-worker to friend. Hettman died Friday when he was hit by a car along Interstate-41. Name released in fatal crash on Interstate-41 Henninger said he'll remember Hettmann as a super guy with a great dedication to his work. "Always a guy willing to do the job," Henninger said. "We would make lunch plans and a call would come in, and he'd be the fir…
Last reply by TowNews, -
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Reports have been coming in all morning concerning a Tow Truck Operator who was struck and killed yesterday. At this point we are unable to confirm this death via news reports which only state a pedestrian was hit and killed on I-41 in Ashwaubenon Friday afternoon. The Brown County Sheriff's Office says it appears the victim was attending to a stalled vehicle along the northbound lanes and ventured into the lanes of traffic. No one else was hurt. The crash happened at about 1:30 p.m. That section of highway reopened at about 6 p.m. Although authorities closed the northbound lanes from Main Ave. in De Pere to Oneida St., traf…
Last reply by GRUMPS The Towman, -
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Dear Friends, It is with a heavy heart and deep sorrow that we inform you of the passing of Mr. Ludwig (Lud) Menzl. As many of you may know, Mr. Menzl was one of the founders of the Wisconsin Towing Association, initial organizers of the W-TON Brewers Tailgate Fundraiser, recipient of the Frank W. Babbitt Award (now known as the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Hall of Fame), and 1991 inductee to the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame. In his early days, he worked as auto mechanic, salesman and handyman. In 1957 he purchased a Texaco Service Station in Milwaukee where he went into the towing business. From this modest beginning, he went on to b…
Last reply by mushspeed, -
Milwaukee's Abyss Towing LLC has lost its license to operate in the city. The company, which was accused of failing to offer a vehicle "drop fee" before towing a man's car, had its license revoked Tuesday by the Common Council. The move came after a complaint from Matthew Clark, who said an Abyss tow truck driver failed to inform him of a city-mandated option to pay a $50 fee to avoid the tow. The tow company argued Clark jumped in his vehicle and started it when it was already hooked up and that he was offered but refused to pay the "drop fee." Dan Sanders, an attorney for Abyss, said Tuesday that the punishment was "unduly harsh," especially becaus…
Last reply by TowNews, -
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TOWN OF MADISON (WKOW) — An 18-year-old driver faces multiple charges after crashing into a tow truck Sunday on the Beltline. faces possible charges of operating a motor vehicle in violation of the absolute sobriety law, operating a motor vehicle while suspended, failure to move over for a stopped emergency vehicle, operating a non-registered motor vehicle, possession of open intoxicants in a motor vehicle as a driver, and reckless driving. Police were called about 3 p.m. Sunday to the Beltline at Fish Hatchery Road for a crash involving a tow truck that was rear-ended by a Dodge Charger. Police were called about 3 p.m. Sunday to the B…
Last reply by TowNews, -
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MILWAUKEE -- A 4-year-old girl survived a frigid night in a Milwaukee tow lot. The child was found crying and upset after eight hours alone. FOX6 News spoke with the tow truck driver, who unknowingly dropped the minivan off with a young passenger inside. "I felt really bad," said Curtis Wykle, tow truck driver. Cars constantly move in and out of the city tow lot. Early Tuesday morning, Nov. 13 one came in on a flatbed with a 4-year-old girl tucked inside. Wykle was assigned to tow the minivan after the driver was arrested for operating while intoxicated near 39th and Forest Home. "I just put it on the wheel lift and took it on down," Wykle sai…
Last reply by TowNews, -
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BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis. (WEAU) -- A La Crosse man convicted in the death of a tow truck driver was back in court Thursday, asking for a new trial. It happened in 2014 along I-94 in Jackson County when a vehicle driven by Steven Dolan hit and killed Nathan Walsh. Walsh was on the side of the road loading a car onto his tow truck. In November 2015, a jury found Dolan guilty of homicide by negligent use of a vehicle. A judge ordered Dolan to spend five years on probation and report to jail for up to two weeks during each year of the five-year-term. Dolan is claiming his lawyer didn't do a good job representing him during the fi…
Last reply by TowNews, -
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A 31-year-old tow truck driver is facing felony charges for allegedly stealing a bank card during a fatal crash he responded to. DETROIT, MI — A 31-year-old Belleville man who works for a local tow yard is facing felony charges for allegedly stealing the bank information of a woman who died following a crash he towed away in 2017. This week Joel Leys was charged with two counts of illegal use of a credit card for reportedly using a bank card found in the car wreck that killed a young woman from Pennsylvania on May 13, 2017. The accident happened in Romulus and left the woman in a coma for five days before dying. The family of the woman contacted Michigan …
Last reply by TowNews, -
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MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) -- It's happened before but it keeps happening. A crash caused by a driver not moving over or slowing down for an emergency vehicle. Eriq Christensen a tow truck driver for Liberty Towing Service was helping a driver who slid of the roadway on Interstate 90 early Thursday morning when he was almost hit by another car. "I had an angel over my shoulder on that one. For sure,” said Christensen. Christensen responded to many slide-offs in the area overnight but a call early Thursday morning on Interstate 90 was almost his last. "He wasn't getting over, he wasn't slowing down. So I ran from the driver side of th…
Last reply by quentinbell9, -
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So i work for a company in north-east wisco.
Last reply by TowManJoe95,

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