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Traffic Accident with Injuries– Windsor Road and Neil Street On March 5, 2022, at approximately 8:34 p.m., Champaign Police responded to the area of Windsor Road and Neil Street for the report of a traffic accident. The initial traffic accident involved two vehicles and no injuries. At 9:06 p.m., as officers were still on scene, an operator for a local tow company was cleaning up debris in the roadway remaining from the initial accident when a vehicle southbound on Neil Street, driven by a 16-year-old Tolono man, struck the tow company operator. The tow company operator, a 20-year-old St. Joseph man, was transported to Carle Foundation Hospital by ambulance with life-threatening injuries. The preliminary investigation indicates the driver failed to move over and struck the tow company operator. The driver of the vehicle cooperated with police and there were no indicators of impairment. A citation for a Scott’s Law violation was issued to the driver and he was released. The Champaign Police Department would like to remind the public of the statutory requirements of Scott’s Law. Scott’s Law, 625 ILCS 5/11- 907(c), mandates that upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle, when the authorized emergency vehicle is giving a signal by displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, blue, or red and blue lights or amber or yellow warning lights, a person who drives an approaching vehicle shall: proceeding with due caution, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the authorized emergency vehicle, if possible with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, if on a highway having at least 4 lanes with not less than 2 lanes proceeding in the same directions as the approaching vehicle; or if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe, proceeding with due caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions and leaving a safe distance until safely past the stationary emergency vehicles. Illinois State Police are assisting with the investigation and reconstruction of the accident scene. RESOURCE LINK: https://champaignil.gov/2022/03/06/traffic-accident-with-injuries-windsor-road-and-neil-street/

UPDATED: 03.06.22 Tow truck driver hit by car dies Updated at 7:33 p.m. — The tow truck driver who was struck on the job Saturday night has died, according to the St. Joseph – Stanton Fire Protection District where he worked as a volunteer. The fire department identified the victim as Ross Booker, a 20-year-old graduate of St. Joseph-Ogden who worked at Tatman’s Towing. First responders repeated calls to urge drivers to slow down and move over after a teenage driver struck and killed tow truck driver and volunteer firefighter Ross Booker. Source: St. Joseph – Stanton Fire Protection District Tow truck driver hit by car 03.05.22 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A tow truck operator is fighting for his life after he was hit by a car while responding to a crash Saturday evening. The operator and Champaign police officers were on the scene of a two-vehicle crash at near the intersection of Neil Street and Windsor Road. No one was hurt in that crash. The operator, a 20-year-old man from Tolono, was cleaning up debris in the roadway when he was hit. He was taken to Carle Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The preliminary investigation indicated that the driver who hit the operator failed to change lanes. That driver, a 16-year-old from Tolono, cooperated with officers at the scene and was released with a ticket for violating Scott’s Law. Scott’s Law mandates that drivers slow down when approaching stationary emergency vehicles with lights activated and change lanes if able. The Illinois State Police are assisting in the investigation. Anyone who witnessed the incident of who has additional information is asked to call Champaign Police at 217-351-4545 or Crime Stoppers at 217-373-8477. Information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers online or through the P3 Tips app. RESOURCE LINK: https://www.wcia.com/news/tow-truck-driver-hit-by-car/

FILLMORE (CBSLA) – It took four hours for crews to extinguish a burning Tesla sedan after it crashed and caught fire near Fillmore Thursday. The Tesla caught fire after its driver lost control and crashed into a ditch off Riverside Drive Thursday morning, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. The driver was not seriously hurt. Responding crews, however, spent four hours working to extinguish the flames. They had to use 2,500 gallons of water, five engines and a water tender because the road was in a rural area that did not have an easily accessible water supply, the department said. At one point, a tow truck was brought in to drag the car out of the ditch and turn it on its side in order to make it easier for firefighters to access the flames. The fire department noted that fires to electric vehicles are tough to put out because their batteries get extremely hot. “#EVFires can be very difficult because of the large batteries and difficulty to get water on the battery to cool it,” the fire department wrote on Twitter. In 2018, a Tesla spontaneously caught fire in the garage of actress Mary McCormack’s West Hollywood home. Last July, General Motors told owners of older Chevrolet Bolt models to park them outdoors and not to charge them overnight because of the fire risk. Last month, GM announced that it would resume production on Chevy Bolts in April after an eight-month pause. https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2022/03/04/tesla-sedan-burns-for-4-hours-after-crash-fire-near-fillmore/ It took 4 hours to put out the fire. Do you have a plan if an EV catches fire in the tow lot?

A message from Nick's Towing Service, inc. In Memoriam It is with a heavy heart we are informing you that, despite a mighty battle, our friend and towing brother, Rob Thornton has passed. Rob was 31 years old and joined Nick’s Towing Service approximately one year ago. He was a quiet young man who easily and quickly became part of the fabric of the NTS crew. He was laid back, friendly, and a genuinely nice human being. He enjoyed his work and did it well. Rob was someone who clearly believed in service to his community as evidenced by his choice of career, work as a volunteer EMT with the Moonachie First Aid Squad, and even in death as an organ donor. The Nick’s Towing Service family is devastated by this senseless and horrific tragedy. Rob was our brother in towing, dear friend, and co-worker. He will never be forgotten. RIP Rob, we’ll pull the chains from here. We will update you with information on the Tow Truck Procession and Memorial Service as soon as details are confirmed by Rob's Grandmother.

Topic Originally Created on Tow411 by Apple Towman in October of 2009: danielswt said: here are a few teaser shots of our 2 SP's in action blue hills towing said: nice sps,but come on nathan buckler show them that beautiful pete you have!don't be shy. NR8174 said: Man Daniel , you work that sucker out. What a versatile unit. What size is it. I have always wanted to see actions shots of the sps. Guess imaginations the limit huh Paulie 417 said: Some very nice pics. I don't have a XP850 but I still have the predecessor to it!!!! sweiljr said: Acestowing said: I think I'm sold on the sidepullers now, never saw many in action but that truck of Southwests is amazing! Bryce Weber - Aces Towing WM 091409 Level 6/7 1-519-889-3350 danielswt said:

Flag Ceremony Set At Hospital For NJ Tow Truck Driver, First Responder Coming Off Life Support A tow truck-driving first responder from Bergen County who was gravely injured while on a call two weeks ago will be removed from life support following a flag-raising ceremony scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27. Family members of Robert Thornton, 31, said there will be no limit on the number of attendees during the ceremony outside the front of Hackensack University Medical Center. Anyone who wants to say something in his honor will be welcome, they said. Thornton, who rode with the Moonachie First Aid & Rescue Squad and worked for Nick's Towing Service, will then be removed from life support and have his organs harvested. "Another one of my family had been taken before their time. It's a big loss to all of us," Moonachie First Aid & Rescue Squad Capt. Franklin Smith said. "Volunteers in general are a dying breed," Smith said. "Our families are tight. We fight, we laugh, we cry, we do a special job together. Not for payment, or for praise, but because we were born to help others. "This will be another great loss to our community and our family." Thornton, whose parents are deceased, had been living with his elderly grandmother in Ridgefield Park. He was clearing an accident scene for Nick's when he was struck by an out-of-control vehicle on westbound Route 3 in Rutherford around 10:30 p.m. Feb. 13. HORRIFIC ROUTE 3 CRASH: Tow Truck Driver Struck, Critically Injured Clearing Highway Police had closed down several lanes, placing their vehicles and cones behind the initial two-car crash scene near Park Avenue between Route 17 and the Passaic River, Rutherford Police Chief John Russo said. Thornton had one of the vehicles on the flatbed and was preparing the second when a three-vehicle crash occurred behind the police closure, Russo said. One vehicle hit another, spinning it out, the chief said. The first vehicle then barreled "straight down the shoulder," nearly hitting several officers, as well as occupants from the first crash and marked police units, he said. It then struck the car that Thornton was working on, he said. Officers freed him from under the vehicle and rendered aid before Thornton was taken to HUMC, Russo said. Thornton, a former Ridgefield Park, has remained in the Intensive Care Unit since then. A member of multiple "families," Thornton is well-known among North Jersey police, firefighters and EMS workers. "He's given countless hours to helping others," said Smith, the Moonachie first aid squad captain. Donations to help Bobby's family are being accepted. Resource Link

Southwest Fire District, Yoder, Indiana It's a teaching moment "Last evening our engine was on the scene of a crash. A secondary crash occurred when a passenger car struck the rear of the engine. Several minutes later personnel noticed a semi losing control and coming straight into their path. The semi struck the tow truck in scene which caused a chain reaction crash involving the tow truck, the passenger vehicle that had just previously struck the engine, the engine and the officers vehicle. All individuals on scene were safe and thankfully went home to their families. This is not always the case and this is a reminder to always slow down and move over if you approach emergency vehicles. With inclement weather as we had last evening, it's even more vital to operate your vehicle with caution depending on conditions.

No problem, we had debated on the topic being in the UK Froum or the Headlines. We opted for the Headlines and then move it to this forum after a few days. A Tower Down is a a brother or sister lost regardless of what continent they are located on. We all have towing in our blood and have lost tears for them as we know that could us be one of us or even ourself in the danger zone when tragedy strikes.

Thanks, we had a different newslink, but I have found any updates. So, we ask our UK members to keep us updated on this incident which has claimed to life of another industry professional doing his job. https://www.towforce.net/topic/17188-tower-down-022122-uk/

@Stubborn66 as many times as I have said I will not participate in the group you have mentioned. I do from time to time add replies or create topics from subjects on the message board. I do this in a professional manner in order to redirect topics towards more professional responses. Sometimes it occurs as a result and sometimes it's best to end the s-discussion as it becomes and non discussion. Generally at some point I will add a like to the topic on TowForce. This is done in a professional manner in respect of whichever group I am participating in. The Postitive Growth of the message board, which constantly proves to be a much more professional social media venue. One that is much easier to follow and does not require constant views throughout the day. I have found many are joining for the fact they need to distance themselves from the time spent on Facebook. While we encourage members to check TowForce daily. our Network is designed in a manner that is not a requirement to follow topics. Simply Click on Unread Topics to catch up on the latest subjects as well as ongoing topics. TowForce continues to grow even though we may fall just short of the Goal. If you are lurking this topic and have not joined. What are you waiting for... HELP Us Reach Our Goal...

I guess no one has read the entire post. Now, Only 41 New Members are needed to reach our goal of 6000 members.

The Towing Information Network will be celebrating 21 years on March 1st. In 2011 there were 7000 Members, even with new members joining the purges over the next 5 years brought that down to 6000 members in 2017. Then in 2017 the old message board system broke and like a Phoenix Towforce was born. However, more than half of those members to this date have not made the move to TowForce. One Past Tow411 member on FB siad he had never heard about the move or seen TowForce. A Goal of 47 members has been set to reach 6000 members by March 1st. Should those lurking join we can reach "Our Goal". For current members we ask the question. "Do you have a Goal for 2022?" Make your goal one that is attainable, setting goal to high as I have with new sponsors can be discouraging. Smaller more attainable goals are more rewarding when they are reached. Let's see how many new members we can add before the end of the month. Thanks to all who participate and support our towing information network. In Social Media there truly is not anything out there like being a part of TowForce. On Linkedin a past member said he always preferred the simplicity of the message board. Did you read this entire post?

UPDATED: 02.15.22 COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott plans gave a live update on a shooting involving a tow truck driver. Two have been arrested in relation to the shooting; they are Jahleel Simmons and Sirdonavan Paull. The two face charges of armed robbery and attempted murder. During their investigation, deputies found Simmons was already detained on an unrelated murder charge from December of 2021. On Sunday, January 2, deputies responded to reports of a tow truck driver being critically injured. Deputies soon arrived on the scene and the victim was taken to a local hospital. Deputies say the victim, who remains nameless, was shot a minimum of 6 times. Sheriff Lott says it was "by the grace of God he (the victim) survived." The Department's investigation showed that the victim was checking a parking lot on Shop Road for illegally parked cars on the night of the shooting. He was sitting in his parked tow truck when the suspects robbed him at gunpoint. The two were then caught on security cameras fleeing the scene. After the shooting, the victim drove himself to South Beltline Boulevard to get help. When asked why he wanted to speak to the press, the victim said that "if it gets to one person" he wants to make sure that everyone is aware of their surroundings. https://wach.com/news/local/deputies-to-give-new-details-in-tow-truck-shooting

Tow truck driver hit and killed by semi-truck on I-5 in Milton Joe Masterson of Fife Service & Towing in WA State was killed at 6:30am by a Semi Driver DUI. Washington State Patrol Trooper Robert Reyer said the driver of the semi-truck was arrested for DUI. FIFE, Wash. — A tow truck driver was killed after they were struck by a semi-truck on Interstate 5 in Milton Tuesday morning, according to the Washington State Patrol (WSP). The crash happened on northbound I-5 just south of Porter Way around 6:15 a.m. WSP Trooper Robert Reyer said the 65-year-old driver of the semi-truck was arrested for suspicion of DUI. Two right lanes of northbound I-5 were closed for over four hours while police investigated. All northbound lanes reopened to traffic around 10:50 a.m., according to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). The WSDOT said drivers should “expect it to take a while for the backup to clear.” According to WSP, the victim was strapping down a box truck onto his tow truck on the shoulder of I-5 when he was struck and killed. The WSP said the semi-truck veered onto the shoulder, missed the tow truck and only struck the victim. Reyer said vehicular homicide charges are expected to be filed against the 65-year-old man who was driving the semi-truck. “Today was, unfortunately, a tragic example of how important it is to move over when you approach emergency lights," said Reyer. "Or, if you can not move over, to at least slow down significantly to protect fire, police, ambulance or even tow truck drivers and [Department of Transportation] workers." Resource Link

We'll after a few problems inputting the numbers. We finally have a list, before I reveal this entire list. I must information all of those that participated "We have a tie for #1". Since this has never occurred in any of our Rankings I am seeking suggestions. As I see it, thee are two options. 1) Release the List with two number one ranked clubs. Seems sorta fitting considering all we have been through over the past year. 2) Conduct a Tiw Breaker to detremine #1 & #2. I'm not exactly sure how that would work. I also feel that it would be quite time consuming. What are your suggestions,

Rob, I am hope a couple of new sponsors join the program this month. Otherwise I will be starting a new mission trip fundraiser next month. Last year we raised $300 before we learned the trip was cancelled. Brad Custer & Irvin-Gina Johns were among the contributors. This year with the $300 Savannah is still $2000 short. The trip is still happening though I do worry as always. We also have a desire to get back to the show with a booth and meet & greets. At this time just trying to catch up on the past couple of years is overwhelming. A huge thanks to those who have continued to provide financial support along with those who are active. Thank you and if you can assist us in either the mission trip or just general funds to cover the expenses of this community. Contact me!

A GoFundMe has raised over $20,000 for Tom Avent who was struck by a Hit & Run Driver last Friday. While responding to an accident for APD on I-40 WB, East of Tramway, on the morning of January 28, 2022 Tom Avent was critically struck by a driver who then fled the scene. Tom has been a part of our family at A-Albuquerque Towing for the nearly 40 years he has worked here. He is very well known among our tight-knit towing community, as well as various repair shops. Everyone knows Tom. He was very good at his job and over the years has trained many drivers. We often receive phone calls and cards in the mail from customers who want to report on how helpful he was. Tom’s a hard worker, always going out of his way to help, never a complainer, always in a good mood, mild tempered, easy going, and enjoys joking around. He’s well liked by all. As word spread of his accident, our office has been flooded with calls of concern and well wishes for Tom. He’s already had multiple surgeries with more to come. We are so thankful he is alive, but we know Tom will have a very long road of recovery. Many have expressed a desire to make a financial donation. All funds donated will go directly to Tom. On behalf of the A-Albuquerque Towing family we would like to thank everyone for all of your loving support during this difficult time! https://www.gofundme.com/f/tow-truck-driver-tom-avent-critical-hitandrun

Police search for man who left tow truck driver injured ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Authorities are looking for the driver of a flatbed pickup who left a tow truck driver in critical condition. It happened around 9 a.m. last Friday. The tow trucker driver was responding to a call on I-40 east of Tramway. According to a Go Fund Me page, that tow truck driver was Tom Avent and has been through several surgeries since the crash. Police are looking for the man who hit him. He was driving a blue and gray older pickup with a push bumper and a wooden bed. The man is believed to have medium-length gray hair and a beard. If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers at 505-843-STOP. Resource Link