TowZone

Thanks Alex, I am in 100% Agreement. I have been to jersey the home of those jersey barriers. They are even closer to the roadway then ours here in the Midwest and traffic flies just as fast. This starts with the drivers of the disabled vehicle as well: I have had more than one driver stop in the fast lane or lane of traffic because they had a flat tire and there was no shoulder. They just fail to understand the dangers Tow truck Operators and other emergency res-ponders witness. We are all on the same team: Correct we are a Force of Tow Operators, it's difficult to watch out for ourselves in these hazardous situations. Much less watch for others though that often happens and those who fail to understand the dangers are often confronted with them. This situation could have taken many different turns. As they could have been struck prior to the arrival of the tow truck or the tow truck driver could have been struck. There is no good outcome when things go wrong. The fact that you reacted and slowed the bleeding saved a life. Sadly the lack of understanding the dangers we face cost him his leg and impacted not only his life but yours as well. You are a True Hero!

Amazing and since he is right there in New Jersey I would suspect he could receive a Medal at Festival Night this year. I do not know how many of us could have dealt with this in the same manner. It just re-enforces the reason to know where your customers are at all times. I do not like putting them in the cab. My preference is away from the roadway with a recognizable escape route. Having them within the tow operators vision as that tow operator attempts to watch and listen for the traffic sounds and load the vehicle. It's difficult enough to save ones own life without the need to save another. Had this operator been closer to the victim he likely would have pushed to customer out of the way and become the victim himself. Expect the unexpected!

Dear Tow Operator, I saw you on the side of the road today and I did as I had been told. I made sure to slow down and move over to give you room to work. I never really thought about it, I just did it because it was the right thing to do. I went on my way, later that night I happen to turn on the news. I heard the reporter say a tow truck operator had been struck and killed. My mind rushed back to that scene where I recognized the slow down and move over. Even though I never saw you, I knew you were there. The news report went on to give the location and I was glad it wasn’t you. Now, I am sad that another did not recognize the dangers of your job. If only they had followed the same slow down and move over that I had, one of your fellow tow operators would be home with their family as I am with mine. First Draft by Ron Parrish for review. I'll keep working on it or not. I will make some changes as I see them now. But, I want your opinions Bad or Good...

Lest we forget them on the long road home The tow operator stood and faced his Maker, which must always come to air. He hoped his chains were left behind and he hadn't brought them on to bare. "Step forward now, wrecker driver how shall I deal with you?" Have you always rendered aid? To your Maker, have you been true? The tower, with dirt on his hands, said "No sir, I guess I ain't. Because those of us who drive wreckers can't always be a saint. I've had to work most Sundays and at times my talk was rough, and sometimes I've taken people cars, because life is just that tough. But I never took a penny, that wasn't mine to keep. Though I logged a lot of hours when the bills just got too deep. And I never passed by a cry for help though at times I had little to gain, and sometimes, please forgive me, I could do little more than feel their pain. I know I don't deserve a place among the people here. They only wanted me around in their worst of moments there. But if you have a place for me here, well...it need not be too grand. I never expected or had too much so if you don't...I'll understand." There was silence all around the room where the saints respectfully stood. As the tow operator waited quietly, for the judgment...bad or good. "Step forward now, wrecker driver, you've borne your burdens well. Come tow on heaven streets, You've done your time in hell." Attached is a Death Notification from PTRAA: The Arkansas Tow Industry lost a great man and friend to many, Cale Hopkins. Cale and his wife Michele own Searcy Towing & Autoworks in Searcy, Arkansas. Cale was active member and regional direct with the PTRAA for many years. Cale died suddenly after suffering a heart attack. Cale was dedicated to helping anyone who crossed his path and his memory will live on forever. Memorial Service: Monday, August 5, 2019 at 6:00 pm Trinity Baptist Church 1600 E Moore Street Searcy, Arkansas The family has asked in lieu of flowers memorials can be made in Cale's Memory to the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame, Museum Survivor Fund, 3315 Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37408, you can go to the museum website and under the Survivor Fund Section, click Support Us and make a one time donation and list Cale Hopkins name in the "for in memory of" field and use a credit card.

Thought's & Prayer for this Tow Operator listed in Critical Condition. I have searched for any updates as the is now been more then 12 hours. Do we have any members in Georgia that can provide further details and the current status of the Tow Operator? UPDATE: One of the Georgia HERO Drivers Posted this on a FB Group> TOW OPERATOR HIT last night - I-285 in Atlanta. Operator taken to the hospital in critical condition No Company Name on Truck - UPDATE: per police on scene he’s expected to be okay. He was taken from the scene to surgery.

Welcome JT, Nussbaum Wreckers & Carriers was once a an Active & Respected Sponsor Member Company on Tow411. With the move to TowForce and the sale of the dealership, the sponsorship expired. Hope to see All American as one of our active Jerr Dan Dealers soon.

I know many Tow Truck Operators now carry, not sure I would go as far as to say "too many towers who carry" However, keep in mind we do not live in the world we grew up in, the dangers both roadside and domestic have increased. Now Firefighter and EMS carry, even Garbage Collectors Carry. Are more guns the answer, in a perfect world of course not. However, we do not live in a prefect world and we must be prepared for the unexpected. The fear however will be that the person with the gun will not be properly trained. Details of this event involving a Tow Op and A Gun are still pending. Hopefully, at some point we have details and an industry insurance professional that can advise. Now, I open carry and I carry the USCCA Insurance. I highly recommend this to everyone who carries a firearm. While we hope to never use that weapon to defend ourselves. Having the firearm is a responsibility and should be a last resort, not a first response. As more details of this story are revealed we will learn if this is a justified shooting or something that will result in charges. Leaving the scene of the incident brings more unanswered questions. I encourage everyone to be wise and be insured choose USCCA CHECK IT OUT BY CLICKING THIS LINK

Another Gone Too Soon. Cale Hopkins joined Tow411 in February of 2008. Cale made the move to TowForce in June of 2018. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Family, Friends and those at Searcy Towing & Autoworks

Jacobs Towing wrote: We had a very important and dedicated employee get hit today. Not just a employee but a good friend someone who was always there when you asked him for help. Someone who is known by many as a friend, son, and a father. Everyone please keep him, his family, and friends in your heart and prayers. I know we have all heard of people getting hit but it never hits you until it happens to someone that you know. We all have got to come together and start paying more attention to our surroundings when we are out driving day to day. If you see lights regards if they are red, blue, or amber please slow down and move over. Because we all have family’s, we all have friends and you never know what can happen. Trucks can be replaced but people can’t. Please keep him and his loved ones in your prayers and please slow down and move over.

This Incident which occurred nearly a year ago has been Featured as a safety review.

TONTO BASIN, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) -- A trooper was hurt after a car crashed into his patrol SUV while he was assisting a stranded driver on State Route 87 north of Mesa on Monday. The crash happened on southbound SR-87 near milepost 227, northeast of Mt. Ord around 2:27 p.m. The Arizona Department of Public Safety said a trooper was assisting a stranded driver off right with a tow truck at the scene when an elderly man crashed into the rear left corner of the patrol SUV. DPS said the driver told investigators he "blacked out" prior to the crash. The trooper was sitting inside the patrol SUV at the time of the collision. DPS said the tow truck driver had to dive under his truck in order to avoid being struck by the car. RESOURCE LINK

Not many days go by that I do not recall something Philip said. The Industry lost a huge supporter and active member. Few Step to the plate like Philip. So, it only makes sense that Heaven would take him from us. Now we need a minimum a half dozen to take his place. I am nearly certain he would be proud of how far the TowForce has come in such a short time. Tow411 was breaking about the time he was called home. But, no other social media can replace the organization of a message board. Who will step to the Plate?

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va (WTVR) A Henrico woman, whose name has not yet been released, was killed on Interstate 95 when she drove into the back of an Amazon Prime tractor-trailer. The crash was reported Wednesday, July 10, at 7 a.m. in Fairfax County, according to Virginia State Police. "A tractor-trailer was stopped on the right southbound shoulder of I-95 when a southbound Toyota Corolla ran off the right side of the highway and into the back of the tractor-trailer," a Virginia State Police spokesperson said. "The driver of the Toyota died at the scene. State police are still in the process of locating and notifying the driver's next of kin." The cause of the crash remains under investigation. https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Virginia-woman-killed-in-crash-with-Amazon-Prime-truck-on-I-95-512641351.html

What's with the NASCAR Overtime? Can someone explain...

A report states the tow truck operator had a diabetic pass out or seizure and rear ended the box truck. The Tow Operator was not even aware they he was diabetic the report states. Will update as the reports continue to come in. If anyone has more information please add it to this topic. Are thought's are with the Tow Operator and Kufners Towing.

They are lucky to be alive the next day. No Tow Truck Operator would condone this... https://ca.news.yahoo.com/teens-push-car-7-km-135553495.html

I have not devoted time to making this poem better. Just not satisfied with it, any thought's as to what would make it better?

En route I make sure the train traffic is stopped, on scene I confirm the train traffic is stopped. I do not go onto the tracks until I have confirmation. The train can hit the vehicle, as long as I am not hooked to it. I have know few that thought they could race to beat the next train. Going up against a train is a bad idea.

Happy Anniversary! Looking Good in Center Stage...

After reviewing the images. I am not sure this is a Tow Truck. Sadly. the news media thinks anything towing a vehicle is a Tow Truck. I am sure we will find out soon enough, until then I will hold off on counting this as a Tower Down.