TowZone

Thought's and Prayer's to the Family, Friends and Co workers. I never knew so many regions have barriers on bridges and overpasses that were so dangerously low. Block motorist views and the odds of this as well as distracted drivers would decrease to odds of this occurring again.

That part should not make it effect us with more emotion then any other Tower Down. But, it does because it pulls at our emotions with an angle we are not accustom too. 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."

History photos sunmitted by Bill Ludewig, Ernies Wrecker Service Vernon Hills Illinois The same picture of Terminal Garage Holmes 850 in all 3 Holmes literature.

Man dies in I-55 accident One man is dead and another has been cited in connection with a fatal accident that took Tuesday morning in DeSoto County. The Mississippi Highway Patrol reported the accident took place around 11 a.m. on northbound I-55 just north of Slocum Road, south of Hernando. According to the MHP, a vehicle driven by Devan E. Simpson of Mason, Tennessee, struck a man who was on the shoulder of the roadway attempting to load a disable vehicle on to a tow truck. DeSoto County Coroner Josh Pounders later identified the victim as Tommy Ray McKee, age 40, of Courtland. The Highway Patrol reported McKee was killed as a result of the accident and Simpson was issued a citation for failing to move over. According to the Desoto County Sheriff’s Department, a tow truck driver identified as Tommy R. McKee was loading a car onto his wrecker when another motorist identified as Devan E. Simpson hit and killed him in the northbound lanes of I-55 near the the East Commerce Street exit. " The investigation continues into the cause of the accident, according to the Highway Patrol. RESOURCE LINK Off-duty officer killed, other driver cited after deadly accident on I-55 DESOTO COUNTY, Miss. - A Mississippi tow truck driver was hit and killed on Tuesday while on the job. Investigators said he was loading a disabled car on I-55 in DeSoto County when a driver sideswiped him. Officials have identified the driver killed as Tommy R. McKee from Courtland, Mississippi. Investigators say McKee was an off-duty officer in Crenshaw and Pope, Mississippi. Both cities are in Panola County. According to the DeSoto County Sheriff, the accident happened on Slocum Rd and I-55. Information is limited however, FOX13 learned the driver was loading up a car on the overpass to Slocum Road when he was hit and killed. The driver of the car has been identified as Devan E. Simpson from Mason, Tennessee. Simpson was cited with failure to move over. Mississippi Highway Patrol told FOX13 this is an ongoing investigation and more charges could be added. Tracy Robinson lives on a road that parallels that area on I-55. "It's just horrible, I just can't believe things like that would happen here," Robinson said. FOX13 talked to the wrecker service where McKee works in Panola County. The company said he was a great man and he will be deeply missed. The wreck backed up traffic for nearly an hour while MHP investigated. Officials say this case is still under investigation. RESOURCE LINK with video

Bump Topic

Unsure who the member was that posted this on Tow411 in December of 2008. The attached photograph was probably published in 1939 or 1940. It shows what the Terminal Garage wrecker fleet looked like in those years. Although no longer in business, Terminal Garage was once the largest wrecker service in Knoxville, maybe the largest in east Tennessee. My father began working for Terminal Garage in the mid-1930's as a wrecker driver. He was later promoted to manager of the company. Before they were married, my parents did much of their dating and courtship from the cabs of these three trucks. It was not unusual for my father to work many 24-hour shifts in those days. And he loved it. After World War II ended, Terminal Garage grew into one of the most sophisticated automotive service centers in the South. A customer could obtain anything necessary for a car or truck, even to Spanky said: NICE !, Got anymore stuff like this. If so, keep it coming. Contributor said: It may be possible to come up with one more picture of the Ford c.o.e. I'll scan it and try to upload it without the visual distortion you see in the current image. It may interest you to know that Terminal Garage helped develop and bought the very first production model of Holmes' 850 wrecker. My father worked as a consultant with the Holmes engineering staff as this wrecker went through its pre production tests. As a child of about 10, I spent a lot of weekends at the Holmes factory watching the testing and the final designing of that unit. Holmes equipment are still the most fascinating pieces of machinery I've ever seen. Ameritowruston said: Yes I agree I would like to see more pictures of that COE. I am building on that exact yearmodel and would like to see it. I just love old wreckers. Makes you wonder where they are today. Thanks Brad

These images were added by Bighook to Tow411 in November of 2008: the single axle pete was bought new in 81 taken to century and its a 820 20 ton then in 83 it was hit while towing a new mack cabover by a drunk driver, both trucks rolled completely over and totalled we bought it back from ins company put new hood cab and sleeper on it trebron upgraded the boom cap. and put a stiffleg on it it was a beautiful truck to drive also in 1983 it won best of show at the illinois tow show....i beleive it was the only out of state truck to do so Wildwood Jack asked: Bighook is Shortys still in business? I used to see them running down the tollway by us. I haven't seen any for quite some time. Jack Herman, Wildwood Service Gages Lake, Ill. Bighook said: wildwood they are but after roger died they are struggling alittle rogers son corky leftin 2007 and started his own company he runs 3 otr trucks and has 7 towtrucks if i remember correctly i see corky quite a bit we have been friends almost 28 years he is doing pretty good with his stuff

Posted by an unknown member on Tow411 in August of 2007: i was digging around in my backyard and came across it. my grandfather and i took it off a ford AA about 10 years ago. we have a 28 international stuck in the bard that i would like to stick it on someday. aussiehooker said: good stuff would love to get lost in amongst all that old iron looks like you have a bit of work in front of you i spoke to a kiwi a couple of years ago he told me about an old motor bike all rusted and siezed that he found in a well he soaked it in molassis for about 18 months some bits longer apparently molasses reverses the rust process i rode the old indian nice bike just thought it might help with the old wrecker winch and bits rather than blasting and sanding i havent tried it do a little research might help happy hooking

Submitted to Tow411 by Mark Redman (cfrtruck) Joe Cummings said: I swear that Brockway is John Griffin from Masher St in Philly's old truck. His was green and had a Continental gas motor in it. As far as I remember he died in 94 or 95. I have no Idea where the truck went after he passed. I think his son died too so it probably went up for sale. cfrtruck said: Joe: The Brockway is from Red and Arts in Stafford Springs, CT who had this truck for as long as I can remember. Traveling along I-84 eastbound just before the Massachusetts border you could always see this truck parked outside his station. Da Wash Boss said: that brockway is an icon next to I-84 out there. what them guys would do with that little brockway many guys on here claim only way to do that job is with a rotator. if that truck could talk wow would i love to listen. great pics mark, i never seen that white before where is that from? Danny Cassello - TRPC - East Hartford, CT Joe Cummings said: Mark, John's was so close to that one it is almost unbelievable. I'll have to poke around and try to see what happened to his. He also had a bigger Brockway tandem with a 30 ton Weldbuilt on it and a big Continental gasser in it. John was a great guy and an really good mechanic. He had a whole fleet of older Brockways working day to day in his trucking company. Ed Barker said: Those are pretty neat old pictures ,,,I can see where they would somewhat be limited with the single line though.I love to see those old photos.

This is an active discussion found on FB; This image started the discussion about Amber vs Blue/Red. In respect I will only use name of those who are registered on TowForce. If you find that you comments have been copied here and you are registered on TowForce please chime in. Thanks FB1 Member Creating Post: For those that think blue lights will stop them from hitting you, the officer was beyond upset😂 no $hit he was upset. FB2 Member: Pretty ignorant remark man. Places that have changed their colors have seen a drop in these incidents. If it saves 1 of our lives, its worth it. FB1 Member: Post the proof please, actual numbers. FB2 Member: ask the guys in Saskatchewan that have had theirs changed. Doesn't get more proof than that. FB1 Member: Well how can you say that with no actual numbers? Here say is not proof. Why would these cop cars all over Ontario constantly get hit? Blue lights are not stopping it. Ignorance and lack of education, stricker fines and or license suspensions will. FB2 Member: Ontario uses blue lights more than the rest of us. You are trying to say that bc it may not work there, it wont work at all. even plows in Ontario use them. Private plows were allowed as well in Ontario but not sure if that is still legal. The idea is a color that isn't used for everyone. In other areas only the police use them. Thus ppl pay more attn. It isn't going to stop the problem but it will work. I dont believe its ignorance or lack of education either. Common sense and giving a shit about ppl on the hwy is what is lacking. We already have huge fines and it isn't working. FB3 Member: blue lights will not stop roadside assistance vehicles from getting hit, but they will reduce the number...so its worth it TowZone said: There is no evidence that the color of lights effects the actual statistics. Many of us want that to be true. However in reality the reason in the past fewer police vehicles were struck was because they often had back up. We are now seeing an increase in the number of police vehicles being struck and those number are rising rapidly. Taking that into effect we now find ourselves in the Towing Industry questioning the effect of the color of lights. I run Red, Blue, Amber combo and I have run them separately. I don't see enough difference to suggest that one is better than the other. Focusing on the color of the lights only masks the reason this is occurring more and more. Thankfully our number of Tower Down notification are Down this year. But, I don't say that very loud and I say a prayer when I do. Amen FB4 Member said: TowZone, could not have been said better FB5 Member said: actually that's bullshit. Blue, red, white, pink or purple. I drive a tow truck and work on the roads and as i always say you can build a damn wall around us and they'd still find a damn way to hit us. Doesnt matter what you do, its never gonna end and the numbers will always be high, so as long as people only care about themselves and dont pay attention on the roads. Simple as that FB2 said: So why are less police hit statistically? Stats don't lie TowZone said: Officers are actually struck at a higher rate than Tow Operators. The Towing Industry just does not keep up with those stats. As an industry we do not even know the actual number of Tow Operators are struck annually, we only know the ones that are reported via news media or social media. More than half the industry is not on social media and the many are in rural areas where news doesn't always travel. I do not have actual numbers but I would have to say officers are struck at a higher rate and tow ops are killed at a higher rate. Somewhere in there are highway workers. If anyone knows where we might piece together these numbers please advise. FB6 Member said: There are tow trucks in Wisconsin, Washington, Missouri and Kansas just off the top of my head that run Red or Red/Blue and still have a high number of collisions. Illinois State Police have had 15 Troopers hit alone in 2019 already in which THREE have died. It simply doesn't matter what colors blinkies you have. Plain and simple. Only you can get yourself home everyday and that's not a guarantee. I get that hoping that blue or red/blue lights will slow them down but it won't. All its gonna do is put false hope into a driver and that driver will take his/her focus off the road and the worst happens. Just my opinion. I like most have been doing this long enough and know that as long as a human being is in control, NOBODY is safe. FB7 Member said: Red and blue lights do slow A majority of drivers down maybe they should start investing In enforcement tools FB8 Member said: I've been on the shoulder 36 years now and still alive. I run a red and blue strobe bar on a tripod, I know for 100% fact it does slow them down. Its not speculation or guesswork, its FACT! However, it's just another tool and ain't doing a damn thing to stop a 5000lb car driven by a 19 yrar old with a phone their face so if you don't have good awareness you'll win a Darwin award. But red and blue definitely shifts the odds your way a bit. In heavy city traffic it slows the flow by 5 to 10mph because when one driver slows a bit it causes a chain reaction slowing the entire flow. Out in the open they still come by at the 75mph speed limit but a hell of a lot more of them move over a lane. FB6 Member said: I should also mention that until now with Troopers getting hit, enforcement of our SD/MO law was a joke. When it was enforced, judges would usually dismiss the case or barely slap the offender of the wrist. So nobody cared... Now that enforcement is at a all time high across the US, now people are actually starting to obey... illinois-senate-wants-to-add-scott-s-law-question- Just came across that as I was scrolling through my news feed.... How nice to finally make sure people know to use your common sense and let people live. Scott's Law includes ALL vehicles with hazard/4 way flashers and warning lights on the shoulder. In Illinois we just had a trucker killed on Friday while he was re-securing his straps on the road. He was side swiped by a car and the passenger of the car died as well.... TowZone said: is it the color or is it the additional light itself. To know for sure if the color has much effect would to to experiment in similar conditions with Amber compared to Blue/Red Steve Ronin Westerfield one would think that the increase in officer deaths related to similar conditions tow operators are killed would cause concern. This concern would lead to an increase in enforcing the current SD/MO Laws. I suppose we just have not gotten past the fact judges do not hold the violators accountable for their actions. Officers do not even want to bother writing those citations, even though they know the effect it can have. FB6 Member said: TowZone, I agree. Up to this point LEOs weren't even bothering wasting time writing tickets for this because judges would just barely slap the person on the wrist. If it wasn't for the fact that THREE Illinois State Troopers were killed in such a short span and that so many squads have in hit in 3 months, I don't think a thing would've changed if they have at all. LEOs are definitely stepping up the game when it comes to SD/MO but now the question is, what are judges gonna do? FB8 Member said: Way more tow truck drivers get hit. Cops dont enforce move over for them so tbh I dont care. Think about towers then I will TowZone said: Officers Care, Judges Don't... FB8 Member said: alot of officers dont care here. FB9 Member said: Blue lights won't do shit FB10 Member said: There’s a lot of drivers on the the HWYs that just don’t care who you are or what your doing there and your in there way and it’s sad for saying this but it’s true . I hope they throw the book at the person that did this to the police officer. FB2 Member said: Hey, guess what. Nobody is making you guys use them. Ill happily let you all go to just amber if thats what you want. I do find it odd that you that have used them say they dont work. So why are you using them? Me, Ill take whatever i can get. 1 life saved makes it worth it. FB12 Member said: a survey would be good ….age ..gender...ethnic group...type of vehicle...time of accident,,,.weather conditions...road condition....I for one would like to know which group of society is causing the most accidents Wade200 said: There are optical engineers out there who are adamant that more and brighter flashing lights are not the answer to this problem! Its called "Moth to the Flame phenomenon", where human (and animals,bugs etc.) brains get fixated on the bright lights and are actually drawn to the bright lights. This theory is not at all popular with lighting manufacturers and installers, since there is a ton of money being spent on warning lights and installation. Then theres "My truck has more lights than yours" syndrome and it only makes matters worse. No one is discounting the actual larger issue of cell phone use and the whole distracted driving plague. I also have another theory on this, which I've discussed with many long time wrecker owners & operators that usually brings more discussions. I'm not sure a FaceBook posting is actually the best place for that discussion either. TowZone said: you are correct. I see drivers turning upper work lights on. This not only blinds oncoming traffic it also washes out the strobes regardless of color. Those work light turns an impaired driver into that "Moth to a Flame". FB6 Member said: is correct, more is NOT better! Is placement and patterns. Not the most and brightest.

Can Anyone believe we consider this vintage now? Topic Created by TowJay on Tow411 in May of 2012: it toke a year to built it . its a 1995 ford f350 4x4 5speed 7.3 powerjoke with a 6 inch lift and a custom wrecker deck wheel lift works great a little lite on the frontend need to make a counterweight if you got picture please show hope you guys like it RobertCAdams said: Looks Sharp!!!! leroy hedrick said: a big ol' push bumper with a 12,000 lb plus winch will help hold it down wrecker85 said: ladder on the back for customers ? hartstowing said: im jealous

Time Magazine has released their Top 100 List. So, we thought we would start a TowForce list of our own industry professionals. The Top 10 Most Influential Leaders in the Towing & Recovery Industry of 2019. Who in the Towing Industry has Influenced you? Add your nomination, state past or present and the reason this person is at the top. Note: there are numerous awards in the industry. This is simply a Top Ten List that will appear in our sidebar for the remainder of 2019. If the number of nominees is strong it could be increased to Top 20. Doc Calitri Steve Calitri Bob Fouquette Clarissa Powell Note: Industry Leaders can be nominated more than once. Topic will close on or about May 1, 2019

In loving memory of Rimal Shalvin Sharma and Roselyn Sharma who are forever in our hearts. We request you to bring thoughts, prayers, fondest memories and join us for family memorial service on April 18th from 2pm to 4pm at Sacramento Memorial Lawn , 6100 Stockton Blvd, CA 95824. Thanks for all your support !! — with Roselyn Sharma and Shalvin Sharma. RESOURCE: Justin's Towing Service FB Page

Alright, with Florida a recent memory for some. Let's get this started for those going to Vegas Baby! Be sure to visit these valued TowForce sponsors at the show. If you need to set up a dedicated time post it here and as an appreciation once the sponsor has confirmed we will reserve a Tow411 T-shirt in your name. A PM will be sent prior to the show. All requests must be made two weeks prior to the show. There is a Limit of One T-Shirt per member and the Sponsor must confirm the dedicated meeting time. Watch for other ways to receive a Free or reduced cost T-Shirt. Beacon Funding, Crash Film, Dynamic, East Coast Truck & Trailer, Excel Sportswear, GEICO, Idaho Wrecker Sales, In The Ditch, Landoll, Nation Safe Drivers, Santiam, Spill Tackle, Tow Times and TowXchange. Watch for New Sponsors to be added. Member Attending: rreschran, Littletow, BigBlonde

Added News Video from Saturday 04.13.19

Family continues to search for woman who was in tow truck that plunged into Sacramento River The body of man who was in a tow truck that plummeted into the Sacramento River two weeks ago was recovered Thursday, family members and the California Highway Patrol said. Shalvinesh Sharma’s body was found around 8:45 a.m. south of Stan's Yolo Marina, which is toward the West Sacramento side of the river, authorities said. Shalvinesh Sharma, 40, was in the tow truck with his wife Roselyn Sharma when the truck plunged into the river after a crash with a big rig on the Pioneer Bridge. The collision hurtled the truck over the bridge rails and into the water. Divers and a barge are headed to the Sacramento River in order to help recover the body of Roselyn Sharma. Get the full story in the video above.

UPDATE 04.10.19: Divers Set To Recover Tow Truck, Couple In Sacramento River Friday SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Divers are set to recover the tow truck that plummeted off the Pioneer Bridge into the Sacramento River this Friday. his comes over a week after officials located the truck, but could not safely recover it and the couple presumed to be inside. The truck crashed into the river around 8 p.m. on March 26. CHP South Sacramento said the recovery effort will come from Global Diving and Salvage, with local agencies on the scene. The Bay Area company is expected to leave Thursday morning. According to CHP, the family got power of attorney of Justin’s Towing Wednesday and contracted Global Diving and Salvage to do the recovery through the tow truck company’s insurance. Global Diving and Salvage plans on transporting a barge with the necessary equipment to make a recovery of the vehicle from their Bay Area headquarters tomorrow with the barge arriving sometime in the evening. Officials said the recovery could take up to two days. There is no word on the couple believed to be inside. The family of Shalvinesh and Roselyn Sharma believe their bodies are at the bottom of the Sacramento River, but local crews had not been able safely to locate the truck and couple due to rapid, frigid waters. The water is moving at about four feet per second. Last Monday, a commercial dive team was called in to help with the recovery effort. They used sonar to find the tow truck, pinpointing the location through sound waves. They now believe they have located the truck using sonar technology, but crews have not actually seen or touched the truck. The water was too dangerous for local divers, so Solano County divers came to help on Saturday, but the water was still too dangerous. “Safety is paramount when we’re out here,” said Solano County Sergeant Jackson Harris on Saturday. “We’re not going to cause any further complications by putting our divers into jeopardy.” Police say they believe the truck is halfway across the river and about 39 feet down. Officials say there are two major PG&E pipelines in the water and weather conditions will make the recovery increasingly difficult Resource Link

I have one, does anyone else watching this have one of these yet? Check It Out Now! Follow This Link: Guardian Angel Towing Safety Light "even sign up to win a "Towing Safety Light"

A couple of members have recently inquired about where the sponsorship funds go. Updating or replacing a desktop or laptop computer is part of those funds generated through the Patron/Sponsor Levels. As System Costs, Marketing, Promotions, Travel and what remains goes towards a salary for maintaining the message board. Yes, I have been compensated for my time. That compensation has been cut in the past couple of years, but like the towing industry we all keep moving forward because we cannot go back. The Tow411 message board was well know for it's time. But times change and as a New Generation enters the industry it is up to us industry veterans to not make way for that New Force. But, to offer them a TowForce of knowledge not found in such abundance any place else. Now I must apologize after months of searching I may have found a new laptop. I just need the funds to purchase it and return this borrowed Macbook. Check it out, I will be adding some reviews. But, as much as I like a Mac they are falling behind the technology. Review: The Huawei Matebook X Pro (2019) is the best laptop I’ve ever used… ever Huawei knocked this one out of the park https://thenextweb.com/plugged/2019/03/19/review-the-huawei-matebook-x-pro-2019-is-the-best-laptop-ive-ever-used-ever/

‘Largely overlooked’: Report details accelerated death, injury rates among tow-truck workers organtown, WV — Workers in the motor vehicle towing industry face an on-the-job fatality risk nearly 15 times greater than workers in all other industries, according to a recent study from NIOSH. Analyzing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, NIOSH researchers found that 191 motor vehicle towing workers were killed between 2011 and 2016, resulting in an annual rate of 42.9 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers. For all other industries, that rate was 2.9 per 100,000 FTEs. Additionally, the annual nonfatal injury rate among motor vehicle towing workers during that same period was 204.2 per 10,000 FTEs – more than double the rate of 98.2 for all industries. Other findings: Motor vehicle incidents were the leading cause of towing industry worker deaths, accounting for 64 percent. Contact with objects and equipment (17 percent) was second. Contact with objects and equipment (34 percent) and overexertion and bodily reaction (32 percent) were the leading causes of nonfatal injuries. Men accounted for 97 percent of the deaths and 94 percent of nonfatal injuries. “Until now, nonfatal injuries and deaths in the motor vehicle towing industry have been largely overlooked,” NIOSH states. “The findings from this study underscore the need for additional research and tailored prevention efforts.” The Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety offers several tips for workers who tow vehicles for roadside assistance. Among them: Survey the area for hazardous conditions, especially near merging lanes or intersections where moving vehicles are nearby. Use sufficient warning lights or pylons around the pickup area. Avoid using flares in case of fuel leaks. Wear high-visibility personal protective clothing. Tow, rather than push, a vehicle whenever possible. Double-check a vehicle after it is rigged. Ensure all cables or connections are secure before driving. RESOURCE LINK

I've seen them before, was it at a show or an internet add. I dunno. it will come to me. http://www.roadsideprotect.com/home/