TowZone

Drunk driver WATCHING MOVIE while DRIVING mows down cop

The suspect not only admitted to drinking and watching a movie, but he also said he had the cruise control on an depended too much on the vehicle’s lane assist feature

An Iowa police officer was seriously injured on Sunday by a driver who allegedly admitted to drinking alcohol and playing a movie on his dashboard at the time of the crash.

Citing police, the Des Moines Register reported that West Des Moines police officer Jon Kaufman was waiting for a tow truck on Interstate Highway 35 around midnight when John Schwartz, 61, crashed into his patrol vehicle. According to an incident report, Schwartz not only admitted to drinking and watching a movie, but he also said he had the cruise control on and depended too much on the vehicle’s lane assist feature.

The Register reported that both Kaufman and Schwartz were seriously injured in Sunday’s crash.

While KHAK reported that Kaufman was hospitalized in critical condition, police told the Register on Tuesday that his condition has improved.

Authorities reportedly obtained a search warrant for Schwartz’s blood and urine samples. Charges are pending based on what the tests show.

Schwartz’s current condition has not been disclosed.

https://www.crimeonline.com/2020/11/11/drunk-driver-watching-movie-while-driving-mows-down-cop/

Before this goes in the wrong direction, it is my understanding the member was triggered. This is the problem with these type of videos, the person taking it antagonizes the person they are filming. Then when they respond they catch it on video and use it against them. We are not seeing the entire confrontation, so basing opinions on what is being told is what motor clubs sometimes do rather then research the entire incident. Next, as far as I was told the driver was not terminated. He just some sort of discipline to calm AAA and will not be doing anymore AAA Motor Club Runs. It is possible the Flag on the Side of the Truck may have set the Biden Supporter Off. Police are getting an ear full of it since the election and it is not letting up. Whose to say that this driver wasn't getting an ear full. Now I'm sorta person that's going to look at someone like really and go on with the job. But, at some point I might be pushed to the point that I just leave them standing. While I have been close, can't say I ever did that I recall. Maybe someone else here has and can relate to a camera in your face. It's getting all to common. Here is the video for those that have not seen it, doesn't give much to go on.

I feel bad for the company and driver. AAA should do a much better job of investigating these incidents. I am always going to give the tow operator the benefit of the doubt until proven they were in the wrong. It is quite possible the member is at fault and the driver simply refused service. The Fact that this was a Biden Supporter could have just been a contributing factor. We should desire to hear both sides before jumping to conclusions and I ask AAA to do the same.

While looking back through the archives, I came upon this video.

I am posting this in remembrance of Mr. James Williamson, Jr. B/A Products. James is no longer with us, but I just know he is lurking in spirit. The Big Guy would Light Up A Room and this will certainly touch those that were fortunate enough to know him.

Many of us will miss him until we meet again on the other side. Without a Baltimore Tow Show this year, nothing seems right amid all the turmoil of 2020. Happy Veterans Day!

Over the years the number of Veterans in the Towing Industry seems to have decreased.

However, if you look back in the early days many Wrecker Drivers were Veterans who had

returned from service and either started a Auto Repair/Wrecker Business or were Employed.

We saluted each and every one of them and you. If your a Military Veteran Shout Out in Reply..

Again, Thank You for your service!

Shared

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Rear Engine did not stop, it's fine.. But, not something I would suggest doing as you do not know what is in or under that flood water.

BORDEN COUNTY, Texas — One person died in a crash in Borden County Thursday morning, the Texas Department of Public Safety said.

Coletyn R. King, 22, of Hermleigh was killed in the crash, which took place on U.S. Highway 180 just before 4:00 a.m.

King’s truck was traveling east when it crossed the center stripe of the highway and hit a tow truck head-on.

There was a passenger in King’s truck, who was transported to University Medical Center with non-incapacitating injuries. The driver of the tow truck was taken to Medial Arts Hospital in Lamesa with non-incapacitating injuries.

King was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

RESOURCE LINK

SHARED

The owner found his missing vehicle near Everett Mall and confronted the man in the front seat

EVERETT — A tow truck driver found his missing vehicle outside a thrift store on Everett Mall Way and confronted the man sitting behind the wheel.

Once he was close enough, the suspected thief swung a knife near the owner’s throat.

It missed but “was within inches of cutting him,” according to documents filed in Snohomish County Superior Court.

The 27-year-old Everett man has been arrested for investigation of first-degree assault and possession of a stolen vehicle. He’s been in trouble before while driving a vehicle that was not his.

The tow truck driver approached his missing vehicle around 3 p.m. Wednesday. It’s not clear how long the truck was missing.

When the suspect swung the knife, the owner punched him in self defense, according to court papers. The Everett man ran, an Everett police officer wrote.

Soon after, an officer with a police dog found the man hiding inside a dumpster across the street. He was booked into the Snohomish County Jail.

About two years ago, the suspect was arrested for attempting to elude police, court records show.

In January 2019, officers were on the lookout for an older F-150 pickup truck with the words “Layin pipe” spray painted near the driver’s side door handle. It reportedly had been used in two armed robberies the day before.

That afternoon, a Snohomish County sheriff’s deputy noticed a truck that looked similar and followed it. The driver turned off the truck lights and started to speed away.

The deputy turned on his siren and emergency lights, but the driver would not stop. A chase ensued from south Everett onto northbound I-5 and into north Everett.

Eventually the deputy used a law enforcement driving technique known as a PIT maneuver — bumping the truck to make it spin out and stop. The chase lasted about 4 miles, with speeds reaching 97 mph, according to a police report.

The suspect reportedly began to struggle as deputies arrested him, trying to kick his feet and roll around on the ground as they attempted to place him in handcuffs.

Later, he talked with a deputy and said he borrowed the truck from a friend for the day. The deputy said he had been looking for the man.

“Looking for me, or looking for the truck?” he responded.

When the deputy asked why he would be looking for the truck, the suspect said his friend “was crazy and probably did some bad stuff with it,” the deputy wrote.

He didn’t know anything else, he told the deputy. He reportedly said he tried to get away because he was scared and didn’t want to go to jail. He had multiple warrants for his arrest.

The deputy wondered why he continued to try to get away on I-5.

“I figured I already ran, I might as well keep going,” the man said.

He was arrested for eluding an officer. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 50 days in jail.

RESOURCE LINK

VIDEO LINK PENDING:

COVINGTON, Ky. (WKRC) - Two men are expected to face felony charges after leading police on a multi-county chase, across state lines in a stolen tow truck.

The pursuit ended when the suspects crashed the tow truck on 5th Street in Covington around 4:30 a.m. Saturday after exiting 71/75 SB.

Covington Police say the tow truck was stolen in Cincinnati. The driver was able to use the GPS system inside the truck to track it to Sharonville.

Sharonville Police spotted the truck and that’s when the pursuit began. 

Ohio State Highway Patrol got involved around High Street and Erie Boulevard in Hamilton. OSHP dispatchers say the suspects led troopers around Butler County before getting on 75 SB. An Ohio agency used stop sticks.

At some point during the pursuit, police say the suspects rammed into an OSHP cruiser. No troopers were injured and the cruiser received minor damage, according to dispatchers.

Covington Police say the two men have multiple warrants. They are expected to also face charges from Sharonville Police, Ohio State Highway Patrol and from Covington Police. There’s no word on possible charges in Cincinnati.

RESOURCE LINK with video

Many officers I know would like more now than even to go after a violator. However, often it is just the two of use and that would mean leaving the tow truck operator exposed to another violator. At times there are two and there marked units on scene and if one cares he or she will break away and go after a blatant offender. Nearly half of those result in an arrest for a contributing factor such as DUI/OWI. Some have warrants or other legal issues, this is the reason officers so often these days ask someone if they have a warrant. Seriously a high number do have legal issues.

For years I avoided steel toe boots due to an allergic reaction to the metal. When composite toes came out I was still not convinced and then finally I broke down and got a pair. Every tow operator should be wearing this type of work boot during the normal course of their day and at least have them in the truck during other hours of service. Foot injuries like this can likely be avoided.

Addressing the SDMO should be no different from the efforts made to get motorist to wear their seat belt. While every life matters, those not wearing seat belts are killing themselves. Those not slowing down and moving over when possible are killing others.

The exact number of signs about Click or Ticket should be up for SDMO or pay a Huge Fine! These fines seem to range from $300 to $2000 across the country, yet in many states not one motorist cited has paid that citation fine. They all have appeared in court and plead ignorance to the law. Claiming it's a new law and they did not know. My reply is "You have a drivers license, it is your responsibly in maintaining that privilege to operate a motor vehicle is to keep up with changes and laws".. So many do not feel that is their responsibility, just as it is not their responsibility to slow down and move over when they see emergency/warning lights. 

If I did not update this in another topic, $150.00 was donated to the Survivor Fund. Not nearly as much as we would have liked to have sent this year. However, with the way things have been this year it's a start towards a better number in 2021. I'll try to do it again in the Spring and Fall of 2021 with the hopes of raising a goal of $200.00 each time. I remember in the early years raising 5 and 10 times this amount. We need to get back there.

In fact from now until the end of the year I will make this offer. Any first time TowForce Gold, Gold Plus or Platinum Sponsor 50% will be donated to the Survivor Fund. This offer absolutely ends Dec. 31, 2020. and the 50/50 will will not be repeated in 2021.  Prospective New Sponsors! Thank you for your consideration.

Let's Ask the President of the CTTA he'll know the answer... Quinn Piening @WEDOTOWS

or there are many other California Members that have made the jump to TowForce now.

You can attempt to be cool with them, it used to work in the past.

But in today's world, all to often they find that as a way in or a crack which they will exploit. Ignore them and the more it happens the more you increase your level of professionalism in response.

Many Tow Truck Operators have a desire to be a First Responder. Then when faced with situations such as First Responders are find themselves in the react much differently. This is not the Fault of the Tow Truck Operator placed in these situations, this is a lack of training and the rate of occurrence.

Thought it might be time to revisit the 2019 TOP TEN Motor Club Rankings before we begin the 2020 TOP TEN Survey in couple of weeks. More Information will follow as we get closer and for those new to these rankings Tow411 has dared to undertake this task for more than a decade now. Each and Every Motor Club should strive to be in the Top Ten, few seem to care and it shows. To the ones that do, they often get the least complaints throughout the year.

First Responders in Billings Honor 2 tow truck drivers killed in crash

https://www.ktvq.com/news/local-news/first-responders-honor-tow-truck-drivers-killed-in-crash-in-billings

This could be a dangerous weekend in some areas if you experience higher levels of unrest during a Full Moon.

Yes, I have followed Full Moons for many years and the number of calls to the police do increase significantly.

What other factors can you add?

1) This is the last weekend Prior to a major US election and there is unrest in some arras.

2) Daylight Savings Time adds one hour overnight Saturday, early Sunday.for many.

3) Halloween and with all the Masks everyone is wearing you will not know who to trust.

Do you have any other reasons to use added precautions this weekend?