TowZone

A 44-year-old Clayton man was killed Friday night after being struck by a vehicle while a tow truck readied to aid his disabled vehicle near Kenton, state police said. Police said the man was waiting with his disabled vehicle on the shoulder of the north side of Arthursville Road for a tow truck to arrive around 10:15 p.m. Friday. As the truck arrived, the man got out of the car to signal to the driver, who pulled off on the opposite shoulder. While standing in the north lane, the man spoke to the two truck driver, who was standing behind the truck, police said. After a conversation, the man turned back toward his disabled vehicle and started walking toward it, police said. That's when he was struck by a Ford sedan traveling north on Arthursville Road. The man, who police have not yet identified pending notification of next of kin, died at the scene. The driver of the Ford, a 25-year-old woman from Maryland, was uninjured and remained on the scene. Arthursville Road was closed between Shorts Corner Road and Sudlersville Road for more than three hours while the incident was investigated. https://www.doverpost.com/story/news/2021/05/01/clayton-man-44-dead-after-being-struck-vehicle-near-kenton-friday-night-delaware-state-police/4902799001/ Delaware State Police: https://dsp.delaware.gov/2021/05/01/state-police-investigating-fatal-pedestrian-crash-south-of-kenton/

NOTE: There was an error in the first round of notifications. A few members may have received an email regarding their member join month status that did not join in the month of April. Our apologies as I am still getting the hung of some new features found in this system. Thanks

Todd Leiss added this video: These are the faces of the 20 United States Emergency Responders that have been struck & killed in 2021. Take two minutes to watch the video and understand the lives that are impacted when our heroes' lives are taken way too soon.

I went back and watched it Frame to Frame and saw the point of near contact at the 44-45 mark. It happened so fast I didn't realize how close the two were.

YouTube: Tow truck nearly causes accident, distorts reality when confronted Narrative:: On 12/11/2020 I'm cruising along with my family when I suddenly have to take evasive action to avoid an accident instigated by an Action Towing of Redwood City, CA tow truck. Ok, it's fine, people make mistakes, and I can accept that no harm no foul. However, when trying to establish what exactly happened, the two occupants of the tow truck begin antagonizing my driving and accusing me of causing the near-miss. Sorry, but it's all documented on camera. Pre-roll to establish that there was no prior interaction with these guys. There's more in the video link, but it's more of the same and the guy even adds to company info. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgcRc1dvoWc What Am I Missing? Okay, after reviewing the video a couple of more times. I see that the Tow Truck switched to the left lane. I assume he then realized that it was a turning lane and instead of turning went straight which triggered the driver with duel cameras. Wouldn't that be distracted driving if you were watching the camera to drive rather than the road? That camera screen is much smaller then the front windshield. Perhaps I'm missing the point or is the point there are camera everywhere?

Safety & Training Opportunity: This is not how I would have recovered the vehicle from the tracks. So I am seeking opinions, how many think the front bumper is now trashed? As well as possible the engine components such as the radiator? Plus I would not have backed my tow truck onto the tracks as the gravel around them is often loose and you can unknowingly cause damage to the tracks. Sounds hard to fathom how you can damage RR Tracks, however vehicles have done just that in some cases. Always confirm the that all train traffic has been stopped or being stopped when dispatched. Then confirm that the train(s) have been stopped and are holding once you arrive and prior to going onto the tracks. Never Assume!

Move Over Law Expected To Get Name Change After Bill Passed OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma law requires drivers to move over when approaching an authorized vehicle on the side of the road, but that law could be getting a name change. Bernardo Martinez was a tow truck driver servicing his truck when a driver veered off the road and hit him. Both of his legs and an arm were amputated. He died sometime later, and his family has taken on the cause of telling Oklahoma drivers to slow down and move over. House Bill 1584 passed in the house and senate, and now Bernardo's family is one step closer to getting the recognition they have been asking for more than a year since Bernardo’s death. RESOURCE LINK with Video

OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma law requires drivers to move over when approaching an authorized vehicle on the side of the road, but that law could be getting a name change. Bernardo Martinez was a tow truck driver servicing his truck when a driver veered off the road and hit him. Both of his legs and an arm were amputated. He died sometime later, and his family has taken on the cause of telling Oklahoma drivers to slow down and move over. House Bill 1584 passed in the house and senate, and now Bernardo's family is one step closer to getting the recognition they have been asking for more than a year since Bernardo’s death. https://www.news9.com/story/60817d515e57460ba8132cd6/move-over-law-expected-to-get-name-change-after-bill-passed?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

The TowForce Administrators are offering FREE Equipment Listings in our Pre 2009 forum until May 31st, 2021. Any member regardless of supporter status can list equipment manufactured prior to 2009 for FREE. All other Equipment Listing Forums will continue to require a Supporter Status. We value our Supporters! To Supporter the Towing Information Network and TowForce please visit our subscriptions store page. https://www.towforce.net/subscriptions/ To view the Equipment Listings Pre 2009 visit this link. https://www.towforce.net/forum/33-equipment-listings-pre-2009/

A poll such as this has not been taken in some time. In order to understand and improve the performance of the message board we will be asking a series of questions over the next several weeks. Your participation in these polls provide us with an understanding of now members use the message board. Traffic to the message board is higher then we have seen in more than a decade and we are working to increase topic participation. If you have any suggestion, please feel free to voice your opinion. The message board has always been about members. We are here to provide you with the best and most time efficient means of following and requesting Towing Information. For those that are reading this and have not joined the Towing Information Network, we encourage you to log in today. For those current member who have not logged in today we encourage you to take a moment to log in a respond to this set of poll questions. Thanks and as always "May the TowForce be with you!"

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) -- Police have identified the man and woman who were killed when their car crashed into a tow truck and caught fire in west Phoenix Friday evening. Investigators say the black sedan Guadalupe Orosco, 25, and Amanda Ramirez, 35, were in "was speeding before losing control and causing the collision." Phoenix Fire Department officials say their crews responded to the crash shortly after 6 p.m. Friday near 83rd Avenue and McDowell Road. Police say the black sedan was eastbound on McDowell Road when it crossed over the median into westbound traffic and collided with the truck. The car caught fire after the collision. Orosco, who police say was driving, and Ramirez were trapped inside the wreckage. Fire crews were able to put out the flames to get to the injured people, but Orosco and Ramirez died at the scene. The driver of the semi-truck wasn't hurt in the crash. McDowell Road was closed east of 83rd Avenue for several hours while officers investigated. https://www.azfamily.com/news/man-woman-killed-in-fiery-car-crash-in-west-phoenix-identified/article_ffca5b6c-9f1d-11eb-972f-bba04c10819e.html

Seriously, I have years of experience in this area. Weakness will get you smoked, an attitude may get you smoked. What starts as a YouTube or TicTok can quickly escalate and it may not be the person requesting the service, talking smack on social media. Training, if your not getting or providing it in your company then you're doing a disservice to yourself or your employees. The Streets are getting wild these days, the occurrences are not regular and that makes them even more dangerous. Warning: Do not bring race into this as I've dealt with this along all ethnic lines.

We will explain when I find a company actually located in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. It involves a Tow Truck Review is all I can say at this point and will promote the Tow Companies Business as well as another. Also, may involve a 3rd party.

I have yet to find a followup on this incident. Throwing this out there to see if anyone has further information concerning the tow operators condition.

I know there are still a few shows to go, but for TowForce the Vegas Show is technically our First Show 2021. Thought some of you might like a look at what is new and awaits you in Las Vegas. I gotta take a ride through the Tesla tunnel. Wonder if Tesla Roadside can hook me up?

PRESS RELEASE / NOTIFICATION OF DEATH Fulton Missouri Police Department We want to offer our thoughts and prayers to Ryan Brewer, his family, and the staff of Approved Towing - Fulton Ryan Brewer passed away from injuries sustained while working to recover a car on I-70. We have worked multiple calls with Ryan Brewer and he was great to work with. He will be missed. We want to remind the public about the dangers not only that we have but that Tow Operators have as well. Please slow down and move over when approaching tow trucks, Emergency Responders, or stalled vehicles. https://www.facebook.com/fultonmopolice/posts/2784520258432376 Todd Leiss with PennTIME - Pennsylvania Statewide Traffic Incident Management Group posted: Tow Truck Operator Ryan Brewer, Approved Towing - Fulton (Missouri) becomes the 16th United States Emergency Responder struck-by death of 2021. The wreck involving two other vehicles was reported on the shoulder of Interstate 70 West near the 151-mile marker at 6:05 p.m. Monday night The report said 32-year-old Matthew Link, of Chesterfield, was driving westbound on I-70 and hit the back of an SUV being loaded onto Brewer's tow truck. Troopers say Brewer was attaching a winch to the vehicle when he was hit by the crash. Link sustained moderate injuries in the wreck and was also taken to University Hospital, the report said. Mr. Brewer succumbed to his injuries on Thursday, April 8, 2021. So far in 2021, 5 tow truck operators, 10 law enforcement officers and 1 DOT/SSP operator has been struck and killed working along United States roadways. On average, two emergency responders are struck each day with an emergency responder struck and killed every six days. These include police, fire, ems, towing, fire police, DOT and others who respond to assist others along the roadway in their time of need Slow Down and Move Over. VIDEO: Fulton residents hold vigil for tow truck operator killed on I-70 https://www.komu.com/news/video-fulton-residents-hold-vigil-for-tow-truck-operator-killed-on-i-70/video_6a22f7d5-549a-5d52-b0f2-e052fb9974b3.html

Tim Walker AMR Reporter At the April 6 Pocahontas County Commission meeting, commissioner John Rebinski asked that the commission begin the process of amending the County Towing Ordinance. In particular, Rebinski wants Fire or EMS personnel at the scene of a traffic accident to be allowed to contact 911 to request a tow by the company that is next on the rotation. The current ordinance only allows a Law Enforcement Officer to make that request once they arrive on the scene. Rebinski said that restriction can cause delays in getting a road cleared and reopened to traffic since law enforcement’s arrival is often delayed because they are responding to a call elsewhere. Under the proposed change, Fire and EMS would only be allowed to call for a tow truck if the owner has not requested that a specific company be called. This restriction eliminates the possibility of Fire or EMS personnel steering the motorist to chose a tow company that the first responder favors. Rebinski provided a letter from Sheriff Jeff Barlow which supports this change, and told his fellow commissioners that he has also received approval of this proposal from Fire and EMS and from five of the six representatives on the commission’s towing committee. The commission passed a motion to begin the process to change the ordinance. RESOURCE LINK

I have been wearing these for years. I get 3 to 4 months and then leave them in the tool box for dirty jobs. Kinco Gloves - https://kinco.com/ https://kinco.com/product/1919 The new pair stays with me till it's time to switch them out again. The pair in the box is generally done for at that point. There a guy that is at a few of the shows and I always buy a 10 pack runs about $100. Individually I they were around $11 a pair. Everything has gone up over the past year so they may be higher. Some of our guys wear mechanix Gloves. My problem is their $30 gloves don't last any longer then my $11 gloves. But, everyone has a preference. Keep looking and you'll find yours, Our employer gives out canvas and jersey style. Those last about 10 days and cost between $2 - $4 dollars. Good Luck

We have been busy adding new content to the message board today. We had a couple of members ask what they can do to speed up the growth of the message board. Not that the growth has not been on target for the past 3 years. It is more that we continue to see more member content contributions and replies to those topics. Seems many have forgotten how to login and reply. I believe social media in general has turned many in the industry off which were once active on the old Tow411 message board. Talk about Tow411, do you know we are now at the level Tow411 was at in 2011. How many know that in 2001 we started with 30 members and in 2003 we had 300 members. Then in less than 10 years Tow411 grew to 6000 members. Today TowForce is at 5314 members and adding an average of 7 new members a day. So back to the question of what they can do to speed up the growth of the message board "TowForce". After kicking around some ideas, what we came up with is "Just Spread the Word". Encourage other Tow Operators to join and next when you are in contact with your supplier, advise them of the growth of TowForce. Suggest they take a look at what's happening and ask them to support the only active towing related message board in the towing industry. For those attending a Tow Show or Event this year give TowForce a Good Word to your favorite supplier. If they are already a TowForce supporter that them for being an active part of the continued growth and rebirth of professional towing conversations. Last, I ask that you support our great TowForce Sponsors they keep the lights on. Thanks

@5towman your supporter status is good thru May 12, 2021 and you should receive and renewal notification around the first of May. The New system works far better then what we have used in the past and offers more options. I truly appreciate the support as the board move and covid have taken a toll on the finances. But all is looking much better in 2021, now if we can just get all the states to open open. I hear from so many that the number of calls for service are way up. Don't know if that is all over or if this is just temporary. I was out during the day today. Because I work night, I rarely venture out in daylight. Vampire... LOL Anyway the traffic is constant and every drive thru is packed. Hope everyone is seeing a recovery and things getting back to some sort of normal. Proves nothing the politicians can do will change the American Way. Just as many cars on the road and people getting boats running for summer as ever. Motorcycles are a plenty as well.

Note; There was a Glitch, no more of an Error sending out the March notification. The First email blast to March Members went to a larger group. The join dates were set and not marked. What does that mean, you may have been 1 or 600 who received notification before the error was caught. Therefore you may not have joined during the month of March. Maybe that was an April Fools Joke or I made a Fool of Myself. Irregardless it was an Error. My apologies as I do my best to send out as few mass emails as possible. Have a great Weekend and for many of you Stay Warm!

UPDATED MARCH 30, 2021