The Boca Raton Police Department's (BRPD) Service Department's Traffic homicide Unit said it is investigating a deadly Monday crash on the 5800 block of N Federal Highway.

Just before 12:30 p.m., officers say a Jeep Cherokee, a Hyundai Elantra, and a Ford Escape were stopped at a red light at Jeffrey Street.

At the same time, a tow truck was traveling northbound on N Federal Highway when it failed to stop for the vehicles, causing a pile-up, according to the crash report. The tow truck collided with the back of the Ford Escape, which pushed into the Elantra, which collided with the back of the Cherokee.

The driver of the Ford Escape, 61-year-old Michaelangelo Dibari, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to BRPD.

Officers say that the two occupants of the Hyundai Elantra were also transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

RESOURCE LINK

Motorists headed out for one last summer holiday during the Labor Day weekend should remember that state law requires them to slow down or move over when tow trucks and other emergency vehicles – police, fire, EMS and highway response trucks – are stopped on the side of the road with their lights activated.

If a road has more than one lane traveling in the same direction, drivers must move out of the lane closest to the emergency vehicles stopped on the road or slow down at least 20 miles per hour below the speed limit.

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation regulates the towing industry as well as the Driver Education and Safety program.

Safety tips for driving this Labor Day weekend:

– Slow down and pay attention to what you’re doing. If you get tired, pull over in a safe spot and walk around to re-energize.

– Don’t drink and drive, even a little bit.

– Designate a (sober) driver.

– Stay off the mobile phone – this includes texting. Designate a “co-pilot” to oversee the phone while you’re driving so you can concentrate on the task at hand.

– Stay weather-aware. If water is running across the roadway, turn around -- don’t drown. Only two feet of rushing water can sweep away a vehicle.

– Leave plenty of time to get to your destination. Roadways are likely to be crowded. Drive friendly – the Texas way!

RESOURCE LINK

*Where; Joe's Crab Shack 2730 Gulf to Bay Blvd. Clearwater, Fl

* When; 6:00 p.m. meeting starts at 7

*Guests; "JB Tow", tow truck accessories, with his van full of goodies--chains, straps, ect to purchase before or after the meeting. Bring your wallet and your shopping list!

"Auto Data Direct ADD123" discussing/helping with the new lein letter laws & other changes, effective July 1, 2024.

This Tow'rs meeting is open to all. We all pay for our own meals. Any questions please call me 727-444-3911 (talk) or text me at 727-410-2911

If you have any questions there's plenty of parking available and with the new laws this is a great opportunity to get those questions answered or asked.

THANK YOU, Ginger@ Nationwide Towing 727-444-3911

Attention Florida Towing Industry

The Professional Wrecker Operators of Florida (PWOF) was instrumental in passing HB179 during this year’s legislative session.

As of July 1, Florida towing operators can now charge a Lien Release Fee not to exceed $250.This is in addition to all other towing and storage charges when a vehicle or vessel is released to the owner, lienholder or insurance company.

This will help companies and their employees at a time of record rising cost of living and business expenses.

Mike Seamon

Executive Director

Professional Wrecker Operators of Florida

View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

e Miami Beach City Commission signed off on increased towing fees Wednesday without any discussion, granting a request by tow companies that claim they need to bring in more cash to keep up with new state regulations and rising insurance costs.

Beach Towing and Tremont Towing, the only tow companies allowed to operate in Miami Beach, will increase an “administrative fee” from $77 to $110 for non-Miami Beach residents and eliminate a three-day grace period for imposing it once a vehicle is towed. The increase will not affect city residents, who will continue to pay the $77 status quo.

Under Florida law, tow companies can charge as much as $250 to release a vehicle from a lien, which is automatically created whenever a car is towed. In a June 4 letter to Interim City Manager Rickelle Williams, lobbyist Ralph Andrade wrote that the two companies “can no longer afford to so deeply discount the administrative fee” from what the state allows.

The administrative fees in Miami Beach are on top of a $250 towing rate for most vehicles, plus a $30 fee that goes to the city and $40 for outside storage beyond six hours, according to city records.

The change approved Wednesday means getting towed in Miami Beach is likely to cost non-residents nearly $400, assuming they can pick up their car within the six-hour window before the $40 storage fee kicks in.

Andrade cited a new state law, HB 179, that placed added requirements on the towing industry, such as sending lien notices within five days rather than seven days. And he shared documents showing that Beach Towing’s insurance premium exceeded $400,000 for 2024-25, more than double the figure for the prior three years.

Tow trucks working overtime throughout South Florida

The legislation was sponsored by Fort Meade State Representative Melony Bell, and a companion bill was sponsored by Gainesville State Senator Keith Perry, both Republicans.

The new law will:

• Require reasonable towing and storage fees so that consumers don’t face fraudulent or inflated charges;
• Require towers to accept additional methods of payment to allow consumers more flexibility to pay their bills and for towers to receive the money they are owed more quickly;
• Shorten notice of lien periods so consumers can more quickly get their vehicles released; and
• Extend the amount of time in which vehicle owners may recover their vehicles before they are sold off.

“Predatory towing in Florida has emerged as a pressing issue for the Sunshine State, significantly impacting individuals’ lives and livelihoods and this measure will go a long way in implementing critical reform measures,” said Eric De Campos, Senior Director of Strategy, Policy and Government Affairs for the National Insurance Crime Bureau. “We really appreciate the hard work by Representative Bell and Senator Perry to address this issue, because predatory towing places significant financial burdens on unsuspecting vehicle owners as hidden towing fees leaves individuals with an unexpected and hefty expense. We also want to thank the legislature for addressing this important issue, and the governor for signing this bill into law.”

NICB noted that vehicle accidents that result in predatory towing practices remain a significant issue for policymakers across Florida and the country. After an accident, vehicle owners find themselves in high-stress situations that can create the perfect opportunity for unscrupulous towers to exploit victims. Law enforcement agencies have seen examples of towers charging accident victims exorbitant fees for a tow requiring only a few-miles – sometimes as high as $10,000 for a single, routine tow.

“There is a real need for comprehensive reform to protect consumers from unfair and exploitative practices. Until meaningful reform is enacted, individuals in Florida will remain vulnerable to the pitfalls of predatory towing, with the potential for financial hardship and emotional distress looming over every parking decision,” said Rep. Bell.

“We need decisive action to combat predatory towing practices and ensure fairness and transparency for Florida’s residents,” said Senator Perry. “This law would implement important measures that protect consumers and promote accountability within the towing industry.”

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) is the nation’s leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to combatting and preventing insurance crime through Intelligence, Analytics, and Operations; Education and Crime Prevention; and Strategy, Policy, and Advocacy. NICB is supported by more than 1,200 property and casualty insurance companies and self-insured organizations.

RESOURCE LINK

Tow truck driver killed on Howard Frankland Bridge had pulled over to help stranded motorists

Early Monday morning, Perez-Borroto, of Tampa, saw a disabled vehicle on the shoulder of the Howard Frankland Bridge and pulled over, said Lou Moralez, owner of Lou's Total Car Care in Tampa. Moments later, authorities say, 43-year-old Perez-Borroto was dead and the driver who hit him sped away.

"He wasn't even on a call," Moralez said. "He put the people in the cab of his truck so they were safe and this is what happens to him."

The Florida Highway Patrol was searching Monday for the driver of the car that hit Perez-Borroto. Troopers say Allison F. Huffman, 36, was driving northbound on the bridge approaching the Kennedy Boulevard exit about 2:20 a.m. when the right front of her Volkswagen Passat struck Perez-Borroto while he was standing on the driver side of his Dodge Ram tow truck.

The flatbed truck was parked on the shoulder about a foot and a half inside the fog line and Perez-Borroto was standing near the line, said Sgt. Steve Gaskins, spokesman for the patrol. It was unclear whether he was standing inside or outside of the line at the time.

Huffman, of Riverview, kept driving after striking him but didn't go far, troopers said. Investigators found her Volkswagen later Monday morning at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on West Kennedy Boulevard, a couple of miles east of the crash scene. Huffman was nowhere to be found. A photo released by FHP showed heavy front end damage to the black sedan.

Gaskins said Huffman was last seen at the Hard Rock Casino in Tampa. She was in a cab and used the name "Beth."

Huffman has been arrested three times in Hillsborough on charges of driving under the influence — twice in 2002 and a third time in 2010 when she refused to submit to a blood alcohol test, county records show. She was found guilty of the 2010 charge and ordered to attend DUI school, records show.

It's not known if alcohol was a factor in Monday's crash.

Perez-Borroto was a married father who had worked for Lou's for about six months. He showed up to work early, stayed late and had a knack for calming down customers who were yelling mad, Moralez said.

"He was one of the kindest, good natured individual I've ever known," Moralez said, his voice breaking. "It's a horrible thing."

His message for Huffman: "Turn yourself in."

The crash comes amid the "Bad to Worse" campaign by the Florida Highway Patrol and Department of Motor Vehicles urging motorists to remain at the scene after a crash. The campaign also aims to raise awareness about the state's "move over" law, which requires drivers to change lanes to give wide berth to emergency vehicles with flashing lights. That includes tow trucks.

There were more than 92,000 hit-and-run crashes in Florida in 2015 and more than 80 people were killed, according to state officials. Leaving the scene of a crash involving death is first-degree felony punishable by a minimum of four years in prison.

Anyone with information on Monday's crash is asked to call FHP at (813) 631‑4020.

RESOURCE LINK

Woman with 3 prior DUIs wanted in fatal hit-and-run on Howard FranklandFHP found hit-and-run vehicle, but not driverTAMPA - A tow truck driver has died after a hit-and-run on the Howard Frankland bridge early Monday morning. This crash was one of four fatal wrecks that same morning.

Florida Highway Patrol said they located the suspect vehicle a short time after the crash. They found the damaged black Volkswagen near the Crown Plaza Hotel, but the driver was not with the car. The vehicle sustained front-end damage, as pictured in the media viewer above. 

According to FHP, the driver of the black Volkswagen was 36-year-old Allison Faye Huffman of Riverview. Huffman has a long criminal history, mostly behind the wheel. Here are a few relevant items from her record:

• 4/2002: DUI w/ injury or property damage (TPD)
• 7/2002: DUI w/ suspended license (TPD)
• 1/2003: Completed DUI school
• 1/2008: Violation of probation for DUI (Pinellas Co.)
• 7/2010: DUI w/ refusal to submit testing (TPD)
• 12/2011: Completed DUI school a second time
• 5/2013: Completed substance abuse treatment
• 11/2013: Careless driving (Charlotte Co.)*

(*Careless driving was a citation. All others were arrests.)

RESOURCE LINK




Hit-and-run suspect last seen at Hard Rock Casino using alias 'Beth' CLEARWATER -- 

The Florida Highway Patrol has located a vehicle they say was involved in Monday morning's hit-and-run crash on the Howard Frankland Bridge that killed a tow truck driver.

The Florida Highway Patrol said it is looking for 36-year-old Allison Faye Huffman, 36, of Riverview. FHP spokesperson Steve Gaskins says after the hit and run, Huffman took a taxi to the Hard Rock Casino using the alias of "Beth."

Her 2012 Volkswagen Passat was found Monday morning in the parking lot of the Crown Plaza Hotel near Westshore Mall.

The two right lanes of the Howard Frankland Bridge heading into Tampa were blocked for hours early Monday after a tow truck driver was struck and killed while loading a car onto his truck. The driver left the scene.

The tow truck driver has been identified as 43-year-old Rogelio Perez-Borroto, who worked for Lou's Total Car Care.

The victim's boss said he wasn’t even sent to help the stranded drivers on the Howard Frankland Bridge. He did it to be kind.

“He just pulled over to help somebody. And if he didn’t put those two people in the truck, to make sure they were in a safe position, there could have been a lot more fatalities,” said Luis Moralez.

The stranded motorists said Perez-Borroto was assisting them and they were in the tow truck cab at the time of the crash. They said they did not see the crash but heard it.

Anyone with information about the crash or Huffman's whereabouts is asked to call the Florida Highway Patrol at 813-631-4020.

According to records, Huffman has three previous DUI arrests in Hillsborough County.

Perez-Borroto leaves behind a wife and a young daughter, who live in Venezuela. He came to the United States a year ago to make a better life for his family.

Hit-and-run awareness As the Bay area has a deadly morning commute on its roads, the Florida Highway Patrol is kicking off its annual statewide campaign to bring awareness of the problem of hit and run crashes. 


In 2015 Law enforcement officers across the state of Florida investigated 92,623 hit and run crashes where 186 people were killed. That number is up from 2014 where 85,155 hit and run crashes were investigated and 175 people were killed.

RESOURCE LINK


Allison Huffman, driver in fatal Howard Frankland hit-and-run, arrested in St. PetersburgSuspected driver had three prior DUIsTAMPA - A woman wanted in the hit-and-run death of a tow truck driver on the Howard Frankland bridge was found Monday night at a friend's house in St. Petersburg, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Allison Huffman, 36, of Riverview was taken to the Pinellas County Jail.

Officers received a tip that Huffman was at the Promenade Apartments at 540 Carillon Parkway, apartment no. 3069, and kept her there until troopers arrived and arrested her, according to St. Petersburg Police Department.

RESOURCE LINK

President: Brett Holcombe, vice president: Amanda Balboa, second vice president: Kelly Barrett, secretary: Alexis Margaret Ramos, treasurer: Crystal Griffin.

The SSTA thanks the McGovern Law Firm for facilitating their election.

View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

With the start of the new year, new laws go into effect including Florida’s enhanced Move Over law. Floridians have long been required to move over for first responders, tow trucks and municipal vehicles. Now, drivers are required to move over for a disabled vehicle displaying either its hazard lights, emergency flares or emergency signage. Violators could be cited with a noncriminal moving violation and a fine of up to $158.

“AAA has advocated for a stronger move over law through our ‘Move Over for Me’ campaign, and are glad to see it come to fruition,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The roadside is a dangerous place for anyone, whether it’s a first responder or a daily commuter. We hope this enhancement to the current law will save lives by reminding drivers to give extra space when passing anyone on the roadside.”

View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

With the Governor’s signature, enforcement of HB 425 will begin on January 1, 2024. According to the bill, drivers would be required to move over for a disabled vehicle displaying either its hazard lights, emergency flares or emergency signage. Violators could be cited with a noncriminal moving violation and a fine of up to $158.

“AAA began advocating for a stronger law late last year with our ‘Move Over for Me’ campaign,” said Mark Jenkins, Public Relations Manager for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “We are extremely grateful that Florida lawmakers took this necessary action to enhance protection for all motorists, in addition to the first responders who come to their aid.”

Historically, the roadside has been a dangerous place for disabled motorists and emergency workers.

• From 2016-2020, an average of nearly 350 people per year were struck and killed while outside a disabled vehicle on the roadside.
• On average, two emergency responders, including tow workers, are struck and killed every month by a driver who fails to obey the law by moving over to an adjacent lane and allowing the roadside rescuers the space to operate, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Roadside crashes are notably deadly for tow workers. Government data shows that tow operators are killed at a rate of almost 43 deaths per 100,000 workers, compared to just three for all other industries.

“These heroes put their lives on the line every time they rescue someone on the roadside,” said Jenkins. “We ask that drivers minimize distractions and constantly pay attention to the road ahead of you. Doing so could save lives.”

View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

View the full article and more on TowTimes.com

I have left University Towing in Gainesville Fla. I bought Tri-County Towing & Recovery in Chiefland Fla. I have one rollback and a 12 ton medium duty I am looking for a heavy duty. It is a small company with so much potential, this has been a long time coming. For those that don't know me, I have been in the business for 20 years. I started with Lyons Towing in Lake Park Fla, then worked at Kauff's Towing in WPB. I was with University for the last 10 years. Any good advice would be appreciated.   

Harvey Spencer
Cell- 352-672-8486

ibflat2 said:

Good luck Harvey, things will go good.

hookn4alivin said:

Congrats!!!

Fredstowing said:

Best of luck!Welcome to the world of ownership.

mooresbp said:

Good luck Harvey

svcmgrnow said:

Good luck Harvey, maybe you could bring a former co-worker out of retirement to help you, he seems to have a lot of free time on his hands. Right Scott?

ptttowguy said:

Congrats & good luck on your new endeavor!!  

Your previous work exposure and experiences have all lead you to this point.

Surround yourself with the best people you can find, and you will be successful!

Miracle 1 said:

Good Luck to you Harvey........Because of your experiences, You're going to make a awesome owner...Best advise I can offer is to do as you have your entire career...Play it smart in every decision and don't take unnecessary chances and you'll do great....If there's any way I can ever help,You know the number...Kenny

MTA415 said:

Way to go Harvey!!! "Advice???" you don't need advice from us, we need advice from you!!!! You know this game inside and out, you'll do fine. Gee, I wonder who's gonna train your HD driver when you get it?

Brian Bell Said:

Cool Deal...   I saw a post of yours the other day and noticed it said something other then University and thought....That's Strange. 

Some of the Best Advise I got when I started was ...  

Now that you are in business for yourself you will have family & friends coming out of the woodwork wanting this and that etc...

He then told me if I was going to make it in business I would have to make money off my friends & family.   He then said that's right

in order to stay in business you will have to do it on the backs of your friends and family.... CAUSE YOUR ENEMIES WON'T CALL YOU!!! 

bigtow00 said:

Congrats Harvey! I'm sure you will do great with it

getuone2x said:

Good luck Harvey!!! Congrats.

unknown member said:

Brain Bell........ that was some of the best short advice i have ever read just bc ive had that happen to me starting a small single truck company!!!

Best of Luck to you Harvey!

Ian Tomei said:

BE safe and make some money...Ian Tomei

RaymondAutoRepair said:

good luck Harvey.  to make it in the business world. " just pay attention to your BUSINESS " and go to work everyday, even when you think there is no work!!!!   you won't get the call if nobody is at the shop to answer the phone..........    words to live by..

twinbulls said:

Good luck.... congrats.... now the pain train begins...... save ,, save stock up on parts...tires,oil, filters,
You worked for a couple of the best tow companys out there.... so you seen alot ....do it better and you will do well...

Tim Ward

mushspeed said:

Good Luck Harvey  and happy hunting.
The customers will soon come ....... when they know they can rely on getting the job done !!! Its all about quality service,
Equally a business can be won or lost in the office,  just like sitting on the potty......The job's not finished until the paperwork is done !!  

Good Luck from your colleagues across the pond.
John

ELIMINATOR II said:

Best of luck to you Harvey.  I am sure you can do anything you put your mind to

Heavytowman12 said:

Haven't seen Scott post the last couple days maybe he's packing  Good luck with your new business !

SP8000 said:

Well it looks like Jason beat me to the punch on the same thought!  Call up Scott and tell him to come out of retirement and get back to what he loves. 

Jeff Leavitt
86 Towing
Gabriels, NY

mark said:

Take care of your equiptment. Every one notices that..  I think having a color scheem helps tremendously. You get more brand recognition.Know your cost....Just because you are turning money dosen't mean your making money. And last but not least...save,save,save. One day you will need it. Good luck!      Mark

Tri-State Collision
Eufaula, Al
WreckMaster # 071464

showtime93 said:

Thanks everyone,It's going good.There are some days that it is slow and other days that it is busy.I have picked up some motor clubs and some local shops.Iam still looking for a HD wrecker,I think thats were I"ll pickup some work.This area is rual and the closest truck is 50 miles away.

Harvey Spencer
Cell- 352-672-8486

In Memory of Da Wash Boss who said:

Congratulations Harvey from Connecticut.... wishing you the best of luck.

Danny Cassello
East Hartford, CT

Capptow said:

Scott is retired from towing. He works for the Red Cross in Asheville NC driving the bloodmobile. i have talked to him several times about coming to work for me. he said he enjoys not having to get up at 2 am anymore.
ryan

Nicole Spencer said:

I am a really happy wife now that Harvey has settled into his new position as owner/operator. We are blessed in this business and its growing fast. Customer service and reputation and the ball is rolling. As for Scott we miss him

towbear said:

Congrats and hopefully one day I can join the ownership club.

gtowman said:

Best of Luck..

lantz70 said:

my advice....run the company, don't let the company run you. Take time to have a life.Do not be afraid to make money.Sell service,not price.anybody can be cheap,very few are the best....Lastly,do not focus on what your competitions doing.focus on your objectives.

United States Emergency Responder Struck-By Death notification by Todd Leiss

It happened on the Cape Coral Bridge when FHP said the trooper was responding to a single car crash. Sunday evening, a lieutenant with FHP confirmed that the trooper is at home and is recovering.

According to FHP, around 7 AM Sunday, the trooper was assisting with a single car crash of a Hyundai on the Cape Coral Bridge. He was inside his Dodge Charger waiting waiting on a tow truck for the Hyundai. While waiting, a 2005 Toyota Tundra pickup truck crashed into the FHP Dodge Charger.

FHP stated the person driving the Tundra was a 50-year-old man from Cape Coral. The driver of the truck, reportedly swerved from the right lane to avoid traffic when he collided with the rear of the FHP charger. The force of the collision caused the FHP vehicle to hit the rear of a Hyundai from the previous crash investigation.

The driver of the Hyundai was already away from the scene.

Trooper was reported injured and sent to the hospital, but was later released. The driver of the truck was issued a citation for careless driving.

Guardian Fleet Services 5 Year Anniversary

Broward Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Claudinne Caro said the crash happened just after 4 p.m. in the 500 block of Northwest 27th Avenue in the unincorporated central section of the county.

Caro said the bicyclist, identified as 59-year-old Robert Bastian, was traveling southbound on the sidewalk adjacent to the northbound lane as a tow truck passed by, heading northbound, as it was towing a box truck.

Only a single lane was open due to construction, Caro said.

Investigators reported that Bastian clipped a utility pole with his left pedal, lost his balance and fell into the roadway head-first, between the tow truck and the box truck. He was then ran over by the rear passenger side tires of the box truck and died at the scene, Caro said.

The tow truck driver, 22-year-old Elvys Martinez, of Miami Gardens, is cooperating with investigators, according to the sheriff’s office. Excessive speed isn’t thought to be a contributing factor in the crash.

RESOURCE LINK

Tower Down 6/29/07 - SUV strikes 2 vehicles, 1 man killed

Tower Killed While Loading Vehicle - The fatal crash backed up traffic on I-95 for hours

A tow truck driver was killed and a Florida Highway Patrol officer injured after a sport utility vehicle sideswiped two vehicles Friday afternoon on Interstate 95.

FHP Trooper Kenneth Washington, 52, had pulled over to the right side of the interstate north of State Street to complete a report on a previous minor accident, Lt. Bill Leeper said. As Washington typed on his computer, Charles Daniel Sharpe, 57, of Jacksonville was standing outside his tow truck, which was in front of the Highway Patrol car, Leeper said.

For unknown reasons, Reginald Tyrone Benyard, 37, of Jacksonville drove his SUV off the road and into the sides of both vehicles about 1 p.m., Leeper said.

Sharpe died at the scene, Leeper said. Benyard, who was wearing his seat belt, had no injuries. Washington, who was not wearing a seat belt and was parked, was taken to Shands Jacksonville with minor injuries, Leeper said.

"If the trooper was standing outside his car, we could have had two deaths," Leeper said.

Washington was able to describe the scene, Leeper said, but no charges have been filed.

Traffic was backed up on I-95 until about 4 p.m. because of the crash investigation.

This is why we can never turn our backs on traffic.

News Resource Link is no longer active

hpg1 said:

this is very sad news to hear.....prayers and condolences to the family from the entire staff......bob

TowMaster B said:

No charges filed?! How about manslaughter! There is NO reason for a vehicle to lose control and hit a parked squad car and tow truck with there lights on.

Muskegontowguy said:

Since when is one life worth less than another? If the trooper had been killed this would be on all the national news stations, and the Driver of the striking vehicle would have been taken into custody and charged with Manslaughter ON THE SPOT!!!!

Greg Kowalski
 

Chuck Said:

More Bad News, Our thoughts and prayers for the Driver, We wish the trooper a speedy recovery. As far as the driver of the SUV he needs to be charged. Be Safe Out There

karlstowing said:

another fallen brother prayers to his family and coworkers . i agree if it was the officer instead of the wrecker driver you can bet there would have been charges i dont see the law on our side.

ForgivenOne said:

My thoughts and prayers are offered for his family and friends. I would like to see those in Florida in our industry ban together and organize a procession of trucks so long that the people ask why? I know Florida has a Move Over Law, I don't know if it includes tow truck drivers. If it doesn't, now would be a good time to push for them to add towers. Make a big stink over this incident. If it does, then the news stations and papers need to cover this big time. Public awareness is the key to making the law work. I would not want to die doing my job because of someone else's short comings. Especially when it didn't have to happen if they would have been paying attention to what they had to do. This makes me angry, these deaths. He died because of someone else's mistake, ...ugh!

rotator60 said:

Our move over law DOES include wreckers here in Florida...But we are not afforded the same courtesy and respect as law enforcement and fire rescue gets..God Bless the families and the survivors of this tragic act of someone not paying attention..One thing is for certain..if this idiot had killed a police officer or a member of the fire dept or rescue personell they would have dragged him out of the suv and beat him senseless..

Heffy004 said:

Our condolences go out to the drivers family & friends, and also to his company.
HEFFY

lovetohook said:

my thoughts and prayers go to him and his family.

Mountain Towman said:

Out thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Mr. Sharpe. ALso prayers for a quick recovery for the trooper. Keep us updated as far as charges to the stupid S.O.B. who hit them. Keep safe!

localtowie said:

Very sad news deepest condolences to family, friends ,workmates ......

Towman26 said:

Our prayers for the families involved .

The no charges filed is nothing new in FL. In the accident I was in last July there was a fatality & I was seriously injured also, but I was told that a person has to do 2 illegal acts before charges will be filed. So if they were speeding & on something, thats the only way they get charged. In my incident the driver only got a ticket for failure to keep vehicle under control!! He gets a ticket & a scatch & I am still out of the truck!

Becky said:

"how do you miss a tow truck....its as big as a tank with lots of bright lights flashing?" All too often, they don't! This deserves national news as well but the thing that really needs to be brought to the news media's attention on a national level is the number of deaths and life altering injuries of tow truck operators at the hand of an ignorant driver who couldn't be bothered to MOVE OVER. We need to get the numbers out there to our local news and then to our national news if we can.

My prayers to the families of these two men. God bless.

Becky et al from Holt & Mason Towing
Mason, Michigan

unknown member said:

Sorry to hear of more senseless tragedy. Prayers for his family and friends.

More people = More vehicles on the road = Watch Out Tow Boys and Girls

HeavyTower75 said:

Our thoughts and prayers to family,friends and coworkers of Charles sharpe.

This is a senseless loss of life and someone needs to be held accountable for there actions

Please keep us updated on the troopers condition and hope he has a speedy recovery.

Casper 2 said:

sorry to here about this tragedy. are prayers are with his family and friends

get r towed said:

This was a senceless tragedy, When is somebody going to wake up and realize where would this country be if there wasn't any tow trucks, but they are not recognized the same as a police car or a fire truck when they get hit.................Ron I could not open up the email, I finally read it on tow 411................John

kwsam said:

our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and to the trooper.this is just getting to the point where i warn all our guys to watch thier backs because no one else is.Be safe out there .

1RANDY said:

Thoughts and Prayers to the family.

oldtrucks said:

Our thoughts are with his family and friends......

Judy and Doug
Maple Ridge B.C.

In Memory of Scooby who said:

terrible, my thoughts and condolences to the family

Unknown Member said:

Mr. Benyard is one of my teachers and an amazing person at the. The last thing he deserves is manslaughter. He would never intentionally harm another human. Try involuntary vehecular manslaughter at the most. My prayers go out to the family but my thoughts and prayers go to My.Benyard. We are here for Mr.B.

Unknown Member said:

This man was my teacher...he's part of a program that does wonderful things for students, and in this program teachers are not only teachers, they become more like friends and family. To outright call him a SOB and an idiot does not make you any better, it just makes your character open to questioning and your moral low, as you obviously aren't aware of the entire story, nor is anywhere else.
If you are so certain to follow the law, then follow this--innocent until proven guilty. Something could have occurred on I-95. He may not have been allowed to switch to the next lane, he may have had a slight seizure, something in his car may have jammed. Worse things than this occur daily, and you are suggesting that this recieves nation wide coverage? I pray to God that none of you run the media, or everything and anything slightly out of line would be brought to attention of the US.

While the educational program that this instructor, Mr. Benyard, and many students are in, have heartfelt feelings towards Mr. Sharpe's family, we must also not forget the emotional impact on Reginald Benyard. To judge him so bluntly is quite narrow minded, and coming from a 16 year old right here, I hope you hear me. Mr. Sharpe's family has had to deal with quite a devastating incident, and our heart goes out to them, but we also stand by Mr. Benyard.

Don't judge until you have the entire story. Mr. Benyard always taught us not to assume, and for good reason. He has many great things to say, and was one of the most caring teachers I have ever encountered.
Innocent until proven guilty. Do not assume his motive.

Unknown Member said:

Nobody was questioning his "motives" for hitting a tow truck driver and killing him. The reason people on this board are upset is because this problem is killing hard working tow truck drivers across the country on what almost seems as a daily basis. The general public's lack of awareness of the Move Over laws and the police departments lack of enforcement is a huge problem for our industry. Ask any tow truck driver with more than a couple months of experience and they will all tell you about the close calls they've had. No one on this forum was trying to attack the integrity of this teacher, but most are sick and tired of reading news reports of this type of accident. It is a valid point that if the police officer was the one killed charges would possibly be charged. Maybe if this teacher is truly sorry for what he did, he can show it by becoming active in teaching the motoring public on move over laws and safety. You teenagers and drivers ed classes would be a good place to start. My heart goes out to all involved but this needs to stop.
And as far as you comment " Worse things than this occur daily, " I'm speechless....

Unknown Member said:

I think you should consider that Mr. Benyard is one of the greatest people I know. He is one of the greatest teachers in Florida or the world as far as I am concerned. He is deeply sorry for what has happened which was an accident and he should be forgiven. I feel horrible that what has happened has caused the death of the tow truck driver, but as a human being we all make mistakes and you wouldn't want people saying all of these hurtful things about you or someone you know and love. So, I believe that this is a tragic incident that we all including Mr. Benyard are very sorry happened. But to all the families early college students send their love and support, and to Mr. Benyard we love you and support you and are praying for you and all the other families inolved.

Cotton said:

I am sure the teacher is a nice guy and nobody here believes he did it on purpose. I think its kinda nice that you kids stand up for your teacher. But all I see is............

another dead tow driver lying in the middle of the road.

Had it been the other way around and the tow truck driver killed the teacher due inattentive driving, equipment failure or whatever, I wonder if you would be so forgiving.

Unknown Member said:

Well, jeez, he's a wonderful teacher -- let's just give him a medal. Make it two, because he was wearing his seatbelt. Or 3, because he's sorry that he killed someone. Oh, hey, there's an idea -- let's just go through the jails and prisons, and everyone who's sorry for what they've done is free to go, because I'm sure someone thinks they're wonderful, too.

Oh, and I'm sorry for the sarcasm.

Unknown Member said:

While you may not be questioning, I've heard a couple stories floating around in Jacksonville now questioning this teacher's sanity, and if it occurred with full knowledge of the intentions. The roads were slippery that day, and if I remember right, his SUV never had the best traction anyways.

...And actually, I had a teacher hit by a truck and on a bridge and die at the scene. The person manning the vehicle went to the funeral, and yes, I had sympathy because it was an accident.

I realize there are quite a few on here who havent said anything towards the negative spectrum...but there are also those who have. I just wish they would release the story from the teacher's side also....

And to the previous poster, I am in no way implying or insinuating that just because he is a wonderful person means he should get off short. If it was in fact intentional, then please, I'm not so sure I want to be taught by a nut case, but right now I'm standing by the fact that he's innocent. There were a few uncalled comments, and I felt he deserved my support. While teachers should be appreciated more, thats a whole other argument.
It's just I think if they knew a little more about Reginald Benyard, they wouldn't be so quick to make the cruel comments they had on here. Or at least I hope. But you proved me wrong. All well!

Unknown Member said:

People are going to vent. They're going to be rude and call names and release emotions. "sorry" doesn't fix it; hearing what a warm and wonderful person the guy is doesn't fix it. Maybe it was intentional, maybe it was an equipment failure, maybe the guy was zonked out of his mind, or talking on a cellphone, or hydroplaning, or whatever -- it doesn't matter.

It could have been any one of us laying under that tarp. Hardly a day goes by that we're not out there, and but for the grace of god and, sometimes, a lot of luck, the wonderful people in the SUVs don't happen to run us down.

You want understanding and forgiveness for your teacher? Then try understanding what's behind the negative spectrum. It could have been Mother Theresa behind the wheel of that SUV and it wouldn't change a darn thing -- a man is dead today and tomorrow it might be any of us. At least for me, I know my final thought won't be, "He's going to be so sorry for this..."

Unknown Member said:

Im not going to argue.......but if some nut job, was driving on crap tires, on a wet road.....and killed one of my brethren....as he did........well.....i think id lke to see em hang. Crap is oughta control.....how hard is it to SLOWWWW the F down or MOVE the F over?!

Towmaster B said:

Obviously these students don't have a clue as to how dangerous it is out there for us. So I invite all of you to drive down the interstate, pull over to the side, get out of your vehicle and stand on the white line and see how long it takes for you to get hit. What you experience out there is what we towers deal with several times a day, every day. I am scared every time I am out there that it will be my turn to get hit. Most move over laws state that if unable to move over than to slow down. Law or no law it should be common courtesy to move over. In my opinion there is no such thing as an "accident" as they ALL can be avoided. Law enforcement agencies don't even call them accidents anymore, they are called crashes.

TOwBoY88 said:

Well, in FLA if the law states there has to be TWO unlawful acts to be charged with the crime, then the fact his SUV was obviously not safe to be on the road would be the second. I don't know ANY SUV's that have such a terrible "traction" problem that causes them to just wreck. Nice try. Negligent on your teachers behalf to fix his vehicle to avoid a wreck. Obviously it was a problem, you kids admitted to knowing about it.

With you kids being so caring for your teacher, I would have figured at least ONE of you would have cared enough to tell him about the ramifications that this might cause. As you see, it caused a death. One that didn't need to happen.

This guy was killed. Your teacher, at worst, will be in jail. Ones ignorance and plain laziness caused another tragic death that didn't need to take place.

By the time this week is over, there will be another tower hit somewhere and we will get to hear about how great the guy who killed him was too.

Unknown Member said:

You know, I'd like to think id be as forgiving, because I think the best of people and I believe I would feel horrible for the person who died, I really do but if it had been mr benyard I would like to think I would not dis the person as cruelly as what ive seen and that i would forgive the man who did it and i think justice was served. the way that this affects him is the worste punishment anyone could ever have.

tator envy:

I betcha ya next time his car is acting funny he will get it looked at.

If you wanna defend him, dont do it behind a screen, go find his widow or his kids that he left behind, go look them in the eye and tell them that he is a great person and he got the worse end of the deal.

autoexpresstow69 said:

just what is the meaning of this and how do you know....did you ride in the rain with him?

tator envy said:

I would honestly be afraid to make a comment like that in a public forum, that could be used in a criminal or civil case.

ibflat2 said:

While this "accident" has caused a great discussion, two facts remain..

One is that the tow truck driver was killed, and Second is that a driver of a motor vehicle hit him...

Weither or not, the person (the teacher who did it and who the current or former students praise) is guilty or not is up the the courts. But facts remain its a senseless death of a person....

Yes, common sense and courtesy says bad weather conditions or poor road conditions mean slow down. I am sorry but just because the SPEED LIMIT SIGN did not change because of the rain or bad conditions is not an excuse to still do 70 or what ever it is...

People nowadays seem to think that they own the roadway and as such drive faster than safe and practical, do not use turn signals (are they options on cars now???) and of course are distracted a vast majority of the time while driving (stereos, cell phones, or even GPS navigation systems)...

Move over laws or not, the motoring public is changing and its getting worse out there everyday... 2 weeks ago I was out helping a mobile road service company who was repairing a vehicle and we had warning lights, safety vests on, cones , reflective safety triangles, and were UNDER A STREET LIGHT, and as I was helping direct traffic my right hand (holding a flashlight which was on) was hit by a passing car, who stopped because she did not know what the "THUD" was .... This was a 4 lane road and it was 7 pm at night and still lots of daylight left..

I have to say I was P.O.ed to say the least..

Sorry your teacher feels bad for what happened, I just wonder what the "tow truck driver" felt ?????

In Memory of DNDTOWINGCOM who said:

Dann 
Vegas Heavy Haul Inc.
dba. Big Valley Towing
Las Vegas, NV. 

 

Unknown Member said:

Sorry for the family's loss. I can not help but think if the tow truck driver was your dad you might feel different. I would also like 2 point out if your dear teacher wants his side heard this is a open forum and he can post the same way you did. I do not think this was on purpose and that is why the charge is called involuntary manslaughter if we felt it was on purpose we would be calling 4 murder 1 or 2.

God bless all involved and please be with the their family's

 

localtowie said:

I revisited this post due to discussion elsewhere....The young people visiting here should realise the people here work on the highways daily and to do so can be dangerous daily.....I myself and im sure every driver here and every emergency worker has learnt working the highways of its dangers nobody thinks for us but we have to think for our own safety for other drivers using the road and people at the scene plus loading and getting out of there...When a tow truck is stationery lights flashing it is making itself known add to this a police car and or other emergency vehicles it is obvious something is going on...

If some of us here call names and get upset it is because this is not Our first loss due to this circumstance....Until you stand on the roadside and face it more then just once you have no idea...

I dont think i have ever heard of a tow truck driver killing another in this fashion or an emergency services worker or vice versa...

In my car if i see lights ahead or even stationery vehicles i become very aware due to my experience being there.
Until you work in these circumstanes you dont really realise how dangerous the roads are...
Just because people drive cars trucks daily just because they are great people they dont slow down for us people dont care..........

A car doesnt jump on a tow truck somebody is there working and people should think more.....
It probably will go on forever and we will continue to loose our fellow tow truck drivers i hope not.....The driver causing accident is a man so let him face what he has done thats what being a man is facing up to your own actions....

He doesnt need defending he caused a fatality accident end of story no matter what people use to justify things the end result is a sad avoidable death....

To the young people showing support just remember you werent there or in his mind step back..

 

TOwBoY88 said:

Not to beat a dead horse (never will be a "dead horse" to me -- some might be getting tired of it though) but, I don't think these kids know exactly what takes place along these roadways or how many people are dying because people just won't slow down or move over out of courtesy.

Best case after all of this? Everyone of his students for the rest of their lives MOVE OVER OR SLOW DOWN when approaching emergency personell.

 

Unknown Member said:

You know i think it would benefit everyone of you to read Platos allegory of the cave. But I am going to assume that you won't and I am going to tell that basically it means that it is understood that we do not directly and immediately know real external objects. We only directly know the effect that reality has on our minds. In other words we immediately know only the shadowy inner mental images of real external objects. I.E. you have to ascend from the cave to know the truth that lies above. You may think (and I'm positive that you do) that we do not understand the hard ships of daily life that you all have to go through everyday. You think that we don't respect you or your fellow brethren but we do and we do actually understand that what you go through is not tolerable. I do as well as do my classmates follow the move over laws and I intend on doing so for the remainder of my life. I do indeed understand how a job can be a life threatening and scary situation. You all are thinking oh these are just a bunch of kids who don't know anything about us or what we do but you'd be wrong. Two tragedies would be committed if Mr. Benyard wasn't allowed to teach us and those who will undoubtedly come after us. He has become part of the Early College family and would not be the same without him. As for who probed us to write here and stand up for our teacher no friend no family member well we did that on our own. I do believe that if there was role reversal I would indeed feel the same way if my father had died and my teacher hd "killed him". I would ot want two tragedies to become from one. It seems unneccessary.

 

ReliableTowing said:

So what is mr. benyard's excuse for what he did, he lost control of a vehicle he was driving- that he was responsible for and killed someone. I'm sure he is grieving but he still can go home to his family and hold his children, and wife. Our fellow tower cannot.

If mr. benyard is such an admirable person he will go to the PD and turn himself in and say- please lock me up I killed someone, I couldn't control myself and I may do it again.

I have read many books while I was in school and college, not a single book I read said it was ok to kill someone that was helping others, so I won't waste my time cave hunting
Steven

Stay Safe & watch your back, noone else will
MOVE OVER and SLOW DOWN it's the LAW

 

TOwBoY88 said:

I wish on 6/29/2007 Mr. Charles Daniel Sharpe was in a cave. But guess what. He wasn't. He was along side of a road in REALITY. REALITY of things he is DEAD. He was HIT by YOUR teacher AND NOW his children DON'T have a FATHER anymore.

You guys were taught well by a man who, himself failed to follow the rules of the road. Maybe he was in a cave when drivers ed. was in session...?

I find it also amazing that you tend to know that ALL your classmates MOVE OVER. I am glad you have that much confidence in them, but I would expect nothing different from someone who is living in a cave of non-reality themselves.

Anytime I am sure I can get you kids a ride along with a company in your area to get a real dose of REALITY. The kind not read or learned from a book.

 

localtowee said:

I wish these young people would realise these posts are listed to bring to our attention losses in our worldwide family....
How we choose to speak here is how we discuss among ourselves....
It was brought to all our attention numerous times relatives of the deceased friends or family may read such posts......I hope this is not the case here you young people dont seem to get the major points....
Someone died at the actions of another, someones family lost a loved one etc and it is a regular happening...
But show some respect for the family and end this here now im sure if you had any style to you should edit your posts and go back to school and stay there...

Accidents happen daily but we are still responsible for our actions and i will never understand how vehicles illuminated and parked with police cars get struck...Make all the excuses in the world but that is the end result..

But isnt it time to sit back and think of the deceased who is the priority here...

Read the line above keep reading it till it sinks in...If you have more to add dont think of the family of the deceased first....

 

Tow_Zone said:

"good people make bad decisions" - In this case the result is Involuntary Manslaughter which is still a Felony Crime. Everyone should relize that a life can be changed in an instant. The tow truck operators life ended and the teachers live will not be the same. Two lives crossed paths that day and neither are the same, it happen in this country every .023 seconds. Destiny although we will never know which mans destiny impacted the other. Likely the teacher as he was the one in control of the moving vehicle.

Students are rarely taught by educators within our society that they can, will and should be held accountable for their actions. This is the real world situation, not a class room senario.

 

13thrattler said:

To the students.
Out here on the streets, we are also being taught. We are being taught by life lessons, and the grades are harsh. If we come home to our wives and families at the end of the day----we passed. If not----we failed. If this nice teacher had of ran over and killed your wife/husband/child/ parent/sister/brother, would you still have such great compassion for his forgiveness?
If the asnswer is no----then you are just like the rest of us. If the answer is yes, then you are destined for Sainthood.

Gilbert

 

southernwrecker said:

UPDATE: The Highway Patrolman ( Officer Washington) was struck again on 7/16. He was completing paperwork on an accident seen while parked off the side of the highway. He has been injured in this incident. I will update you on his condition.

The long and short of this is that the increasing number of fatalities is unacceptable and until the motoring public is held to be responsible i believe these tragedy's will continue. I find it reprehensible that the motoring public will not take responsibility for there actions.

 

In Memory of BROTHERANDSONS who said:

I have been watching this for some time, and as the Father of 2 teenage boys who were born into the industry,and follow this forum, I have to respond To Kd and friends ,on their, and my behalf. My son's response is " Its easy to talk about Mr Beynard being sorry, few people MEAN to cause this, its an accident, but, they taught us driving is a privilege, as is personal responsibility, so the consequences need to fall where they do" Tires, brakes, wet roads, whatever, fall under the responsibility heading and are not excuses. Momentary lapse of control is not forgivable when someone else suffers from your actions. That is the substance of this great Republic we call America.

You mentioned Platos Allegory of the Cave, and the inability to know the reality without ascending from the Cave. The POINT is the prisoners in Plato's Allegory realized the ERROR of their judgements when they could turn their heads and face the reality. They realized they were wrong to think the concepts they grasped were on the same level that they perceived.

Think about that and apply it from the point of view of the Sharpes family, They are in the reality, Mr Beynard is in the reality, We all work in the reality every day, you are in the cave, Head locked forward to the wall, exposed to shadows of a false reality. Come out of the cave and turn your heads to the reality and see that your applying shadowed names ( Tragedy would be committed by the loss of Mr Benard as a teacher) to an already espoused reality...Mr Sharpes, is no longer with us..... This is the bottom line. I feel for all of you, I Grieve for Mr Sharpes family and our industry as a whole for the senseless loss, I have empathy for Mr Beynard for the remorse I am sure he feels, and the fact that he will face consequences. I Hope that the lesson is learned by all that this is a true tragedy, that could have been avoided.

 

Nancy said:

I am Charles Sharpe's little sister and I am glad to have this opportunity to thank all of the tow truck community for your comments pertaining to my brother. The most awesome tribute to your fellow driver was when his "band of brothers" led the procession to his final destination. It touched my heart deeply as I knew he would have done the same for you. I'm so sure he would have wanted his casket taken on the bed of a tow truck rather than in a Hurst. There were holes in the floor of heaven that dreadful day and his tears were coming through with gratitude for the tribute and respect that was given to him. His state trooper friends including Trooper Washington were there too and that meant a lot to our family. I'm going to take some time to read all of these post's before I write again. My heart is very heavy with the grief of loosing two awesome brothers due to the careless actions of another person while they were simply doing the job they loved. Again, thank you from the depth of my very soul for your kindness and I will write again soon. I welcome you all to sign his guest book at:

Sincerely, Nancy (Sharpe) Freeland

 

A Note by Tow411: Lest We Forget Our Fallen Towers

Port St. Lucie police said the crash happened on N.E. Airoso Boulevard, Saturday morning at 12:30 a.m.

The 46-year-old victim was parked in the right northbound lane, and unloading a car, when the suspect crashed into him and the tow truck.

But then, the suspect drove away from the scene and did not help the victim.

The tow truck operator was taken to the hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

Sunday evening, Jacob Andrews of Ft. Pierce turned himself in.

Officers said the 29-year-old suspect panicked and went home, where he hid the vehicle on the side of his house.

Andrews was taken from the police department to jail and charged with hit and run involving serious bodily injury.

He was released before 5 a.m. Monday in lieu of $2,500 cash bond.

Police want to remind everyone that the state’s Move Over Law requires drivers to move over a lane when possible, or slow to 20 mph less than the speed limit.

It applies to law enforcement, emergency, sanitation, utility, tow trucks, and maintenance or construction vehicles on the side of the road.

Resource Link

THANK YOU to our CUSTOMERS and to the BEST TEAM in the business!

MIAMI – A semi tow truck worth close to a million dollars was stolen from a business around early Saturday morning.

Surveillance video shows several people pulling up in a white big rig at TruckMax Inc., 6000 Northwest 77th Court, around 1 a.m.

They went through the fence and hitched a chain to the metal gate. Video shows the big rig pulling down the gate.

According to investigators, the keys were not inside the truck, but the thieves were able to start up the truck worth $800,000. The truck that was stolen is used in tow situations to lift bigger vehicles, such as a bus.

The owner said that since so few of these type of truck is manufactured, he says if someone has a key to one, it can easily start another.

The truck was recently at an auction and was sold pending final transaction details. The owner suspects that maybe someone spotted it at auction and found out where it was being stored.

The investigation is still ongoing.

Resource Link

Reward is up to $20.000

A tow truck driver was killed Monday when the vehicle he was towing struck him and dragged him about 30 feet, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Troopers said the incident occurred about 3:30 p.m. on Southeast Second Street at Southeast 54th Court. The intersection is south of Fort King Street and just west of Baseline Road.

The 38-year-old Ocala tow truck driver had repossessed a F-350 pickup truck and was towing it along the roadway. He stopped for some reason, perhaps because he detected a problem.

Authorities said the man got out of the vehicle and went underneath the pickup truck. But the tow truck was not in park. The tow truck moved forward, and the pickup struck the man and dragged him approximately 30 feet, FHP said. 

After the incident, someone saw the tow truck and called 911. Medical personnel arrived and pronounced the man deceased. The highway patrol no longer releases names of people involved in traffic fatalities.

Officials said a 9-year-old boy, who is the man's stepson, was in the vehicle at the time. He was not injured. 

The investigation is ongoing, FHP said.

Resource Link

Editor's note: This story has been revised after the Star-Banner received new information about the 9-year-old boy's relation to the tow truck driver.

Tow truck driver found dead under vehicle attached to truck in Plantation

PLANTATION, Fla. – A tow truck driver was found dead Friday morning under a vehicle that was attached to his truck, authorities said.

Plantation police said they were called about a traffic accident in a parking lot at 8100 W. Broward Blvd.

Officers arrived to find the tow truck driver's body under the vehicle.

The driver was identified later in the afternoon as Francisco Canjura, 34, of Tamarac.

The cause of death is under investigation, but one of the owners of the repossession company, Prowler Recovery, told Local 10 News reporter Layron Livingston that it appears that his employee didn't secure the vehicle well enough and the SUV ran over him.

"He was taking the car out of gear because it was an all-wheel drive vehicle," Stuart Weinstock said. "He got underneath it, didn't realize that he left the truck in drive and it crushed him."

Weinstock said Canjura worked for his company for 12 years.

"This kid was just a down to earth, good-hearted, hard-working, unbelievable individual, and for this to happen is just a mess, man," Weinstock said.

A larger tow truck was brought it to lift the SUV so authorities could remove the victim's body.

Resource Link

Matthew Gammons with ASAP Towing & Storage, Jacksonville, Florida

More details will be added as they are available.