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  1. Today
  2. AUSTIN While millions of Texans commute to work on highways every week, they pass inches away from the worksites for thousands of law enforcement personnel, first responders and road maintenance crews. Unfortunately, many of them are killed in crashes every year on the job, which is why TxDOT is calling on Texas drivers to keep roadside workers safe by remembering to “Move Over or Slow Down.” The state’s Move Over or Slow Down law requires drivers to move over — putting a lane between them and roadside workers — or reduce their speed to 20 mph below the posted speed limit when passing law enforcement, tow trucks, utility vehicles, emergency responders and TxDOT vehicles stopped with activated overhead lights on the side of the road. Changes to the law went into effect on Sept. 1, 2023, and impose heftier penalties for violations, including fines of up to $1,250 for a first offense. Stricter penalties for drivers who cause serious injuries by failing to follow these rules now include possible jail time and a fine of up to $4,000. Every year, law enforcement officers, tow truck drivers and other roadside workers do essential work protecting and maintaining our roads, but some are hit, injured or killed while serving our community. TxDOT’s “Be Safe. Drive Smart” public awareness campaign asks all drivers to respect these workers who are vital to keeping our roads clear and safe. The Move Over or Slow Down law requires drivers to: Be on alert and pay attention when approaching roadside law enforcement, emergency vehicles, tow trucks, utility vehicles and TxDOT vehicles with flashing lights on. When possible, move out of the lane closest to these vehicles. Slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit if safely switching lanes is not possible or the road doesn’t offer multiple lanes. Reduce speed to 5 mph on roadways with posted speed limits of 25 mph or less. The state’s Move Over or Slow Down law was first passed in 2003 and applied to law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services vehicles. The Texas Legislature has since extended the law’s protections to include TxDOT vehicles, tow trucks and utility service vehicles. Be Safe. Drive Smart. is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel to help end the streak of daily deaths. Nov. 7, 2000, was the last deathless day on Texas roadways. RESOURCE LINK
  3. Clemson police looking for driver who hit tow truck worker, drove off CLEMSON, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Clemson Police Department is asking the public’s help in identifying a driver involved in a hit and run. The department said the crash took place on Wednesday, April 17 at around 9 p.m. on Old Greenville Highway. Police said they were working another crash and diverting traffic into the center turn lane to go around the scene when the vehicle hit one of the tow truck workers. The worker was knocked to the ground and taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. “We believe the driver was looking at the crash scene and not paying attention to what was in front of them,” officials said. Officials said the driver continued northbound towards Central without stopping. RESOURCE LINK
  4. Tow truck driver 'blessed' to be alive after being hit by a car on Loop 101 PHOENIX - Ramon Garcia's life flashed before his eyes on April 18. That's when the AAA tow truck driver was rushed to the hospital after being struck by a car on Loop 101 while trying to load a vehicle onto his flatbed. "I just went numb. I couldn't feel my legs. I didn't know what to expect.," his wife Yolanda Garcia told FOX 10. "I got the call from the paramedics. Even showing up to the hospital, the paramedics said, ‘we don’t know how he is alive.'" Ramon said he could hear the AAA member screaming for him to watch out for an incoming car near Loop 101 and 27th Avenue, but it was too late. A distracted driver crashed into the left side of his body. "I was scared and as I kind of recuperated a little bit, I did get angry," Garcia said. "I'm not going to lie because I saw my leg and said, ‘I’m done,' you know? I thought it was over for me." Garcia, a tow truck driver for 27 years, managed to pull his body onto the bed of his tow truck when he realized his left leg suffered the most damage. At the hospital, Garcia discovered he had six broken bones from his knee to his foot. He went into surgery that night. "(We're) beyond blessed that it's just his leg," Yolanda said. Garcia has a message for distracted drivers: "We have all our flashing lights, everything, you know, at the end of the day we all want to get home," Garcia said. What are the next steps in Garcia's recovery? It is going to be a long road ahead for Garcia. His days going forward will be filled with appointments and therapy. He is forced to put a pause on the job that has supported his family for the last 27 years. "I'm beyond blessed to be here," Garcia said. A fundraiser will be held for him on Saturday beginning at 6:30 p.m. on 1301 W. Watkins Street in Phoenix. RESOURCE LINK
  5. Yesterday
  6. It was a busy weekend at the Collins booth at the PWOF Tow Show in Florida. Products on display and demonstrated: • Collins SLZ Hi-Speed Dolly • Collins G7 Hi-Speed Dolly • Collins T12 Center-Cambered 104” Cross Rails • Collins Carrier Dolly System for Vehicles & Motorcycles • Collins Tow Cradle Adaptor for Carrier & Highway Dollies • Collins Ball Joint Adaptor for Carrier Dolly • Collins Streamliner 48” Underbody Box & 1/4 Fender Box All of which received glowing reviews from tow show attendees. Next stop, Las Vegas Nevada: May 1st & 2nd. See you there!
  7. Monterey Woman Faces Felony Charges After Stolen Tow Truck Chase, Assault at Redwood City Gym Laura Kettell, a 35-year-old woman from Monterey, was arrested after allegedly stealing a tow truck and leading police on a dangerous chase that included a confrontation at a Planet Fitness in Redwood City. The Redwood City Police Department reported that on April 19th, at approximately 6:03 pm, officers responded to a call from Enterprise Rent-a-Car about the theft, setting off a series of events that culminated in Kettell's arrest and multiple felony charges. After locating the stolen vehicle unattended at a Jack in the Box in San Carlos, the responding officer's vehicles were rammed by Kettell as she re-entered the tow truck. One of the police vehicles was shoved across the parking lot, with the officer narrowly avoiding severe injury. A chase ensued when the tow truck failed to yield, reaching speeds of 80-90 mph on southbound Highway 101 before law enforcement called off the pursuit due to an altercation involving another motorist and the suspected tow truck. CHP took over shortly after, but the cat-and-mouse game continued as they located the tow truck with help from a GPS tracker. A collision occurred when Kettell abruptly braked, and a CHP unit struck the tow truck. Kettell then allegedly burglarized a home on Silver Hill Rd in Redwood City before the pursuit picked up again. The Sheriff’s Office and other agencies joined to support, but the chase was eventually terminated thanks to the tracker providing real-time updates of Kettell’s location. Kettell finally ditched the tow truck and proceeded to assault an employee, identified as her boyfriend, inside Planet Fitness on Walnut Street. Police officers converged on the scene and, after a resisted attempt to detain her, deployed a canine partner that bit Kettell on her hip, which led to her eventual surrender. Kettell received treatment for her injuries before being booked on numerous charges, including felony assault with a deadly weapon, vehicle theft, and burglary. An RCPD officer sustained injuries during the initial vehicle assault and was treated at a local hospital but has since been released. RESOURCE LINK
  8. Last week
  9. Congrats to all who will be receiving this honor.
  10. It has been quite some time since we impounded a vehicle with a Dog. During an Arrest, the police either find someone to take responsibility for the animal or call animal control to take it to the shelter. On private property impounded we do our best to to care for the animal. We make a call to the shelter as a last resort. Had a debtor keep his hunting dogs in their cages in the bed. We waited one morning till he went to sleep and grabbed to truck with the dogs. I'll have you know it took him 48 hours to come and get the dogs. Of course, in the end, the bank released the truck. We figured he got the payments up to date. Yes, we fed and watered the dogs. Parked inside the building and even cleaned the cages with a hose. Yeah, we went over and beyond. What would you have done? Keep in mind this individual was known to be dangerous. A couple of repo companies had already had confrontations.
  11. Mr Fenimore was a friend to many and he left a lasting impact. Rest easy, Mr. Fenimore. You will be missed.
  12. We hope to see you in Frankenmuth on June 8th! Tons of fun planned this year - you don't wanna miss it! Need something fun to do before the Tow Picnic? You can participate in the annual Skeet Shoot! June 7th: 4pm - 6pm Frankenmuth Gun Club We hope to see you there!
  13. We hope to see you in Frankenmuth on June 8th! Tons of fun planned this year - you don't wanna miss it! Need something fun to do before the Tow Picnic? You can participate in the annual Skeet Shoot! June 7th: 4pm - 6pm Frankenmuth Gun Club We hope to see you there!
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