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Tow truck driver critically injured when truck he was unloading rolled onto him, Pct. 4 constable says
The driver was unloading the truck for an auction at the time of the incident. He was rushed to an area hospital in critical condition.
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — A tow truck driver was critically injured Thursday afternoon when the truck he was unloading rolled on top of him, according to Harris County Pct. 4 Constable Mark Herman.
This happened near Beltway 8 and Bencrest Drive. The constable first posted about the incident on X, formerly Twitter, at 12:32 p.m.
The driver was unloading the truck for an auction at the time of the incident. He was rushed to a hospital in critical condition.
Tow truck driver critically hurt when vehicle rolls onto him in N. Harris County, authorities say
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A tow truck driver was rushed to the hospital after authorities said a truck rolled onto him in north Harris County.
Thursday's scene began unfolding at about 12:24 p.m. in the 4500 block of North Sam Houston Parkway West, near Bencrest Drive.
According to the Harris County Constable Precinct 4's Office, a caller stated that a truck had fallen on a man. Upon further investigation at the scene, authorities learned the tow truck driver was unloading a truck for an auction when it rolled onto him.
The man was taken to a nearby hospital and is said to be critically injured.
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Video shows tow truck try to latch onto moving car in San Francisco
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CHICAGO — Two men were shot while riding in a tow truck in the West Town neighborhood overnight, according to Chicago police.
The men were in the 500 block of North Ogden when a black sedan pulled up around 2:50 a.m., police said. Someone fired shots from the sedan.
Police said a bullet grazed the tow truck driver’s head. The 35-year-old is in good condition at St. Mary’s Hospital. His passenger was shot in the left thigh. He’s in good condition at Stroger Hospital. Police did not release his age.
CPD did not provide a possible motive for the shooting. Officers at the scene said they found two firearms inside the tow truck. They were working to determine if the driver or his passenger had concealed carry licenses.
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A new measure to protect Florida consumers against predatory towing practices and dishonest towers was signed into law recently by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. The legislation (HB 179), which was strongly supported by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), will provide critical consumer protections so Floridians do not become a victim of predatory towing practices.
The legislation was sponsored by Fort Meade State Representative Melony Bell, and a companion bill was sponsored by Gainesville State Senator Keith Perry, both Republicans.
The new law will:
- Require reasonable towing and storage fees so that consumers don’t face fraudulent or inflated charges;
- Require towers to accept additional methods of payment to allow consumers more flexibility to pay their bills and for towers to receive the money they are owed more quickly;
- Shorten notice of lien periods so consumers can more quickly get their vehicles released; and
- Extend the amount of time in which vehicle owners may recover their vehicles before they are sold off.
“Predatory towing in Florida has emerged as a pressing issue for the Sunshine State, significantly impacting individuals’ lives and livelihoods and this measure will go a long way in implementing critical reform measures,” said Eric De Campos, Senior Director of Strategy, Policy and Government Affairs for the National Insurance Crime Bureau. “We really appreciate the hard work by Representative Bell and Senator Perry to address this issue, because predatory towing places significant financial burdens on unsuspecting vehicle owners as hidden towing fees leaves individuals with an unexpected and hefty expense. We also want to thank the legislature for addressing this important issue, and the governor for signing this bill into law.”
NICB noted that vehicle accidents that result in predatory towing practices remain a significant issue for policymakers across Florida and the country. After an accident, vehicle owners find themselves in high-stress situations that can create the perfect opportunity for unscrupulous towers to exploit victims. Law enforcement agencies have seen examples of towers charging accident victims exorbitant fees for a tow requiring only a few-miles – sometimes as high as $10,000 for a single, routine tow.
“There is a real need for comprehensive reform to protect consumers from unfair and exploitative practices. Until meaningful reform is enacted, individuals in Florida will remain vulnerable to the pitfalls of predatory towing, with the potential for financial hardship and emotional distress looming over every parking decision,” said Rep. Bell.
“We need decisive action to combat predatory towing practices and ensure fairness and transparency for Florida’s residents,” said Senator Perry. “This law would implement important measures that protect consumers and promote accountability within the towing industry.”
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) is the nation’s leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to combatting and preventing insurance crime through Intelligence, Analytics, and Operations; Education and Crime Prevention; and Strategy, Policy, and Advocacy. NICB is supported by more than 1,200 property and casualty insurance companies and self-insured organizations.
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North Carolina State trooper describes crash to father: 'I just got hit by a tractor-trailer'
https://abc11.com/north-carolina-state-highway-patrol-trooper-crash/14562597/
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How a Stonycreek Twp. automotive business was destroyed by fire early Saturday morning
STONYCREEK TWP. ― Robert Hauger of Stoystown planned to retire and turn over his 50-year-old automotive sales, towing and repair business to his son sometime this year.
Now the family is left to decide what to do next after a fire destroyed the business early Saturday.
Hauger Automotive Services LLC in the 1500 block of Lambertsville Road, Stoystown, Stonycreek Township, is considered a total loss, said Shanksville Deputy Chief John Abramowich.
The state police fire marshal was called but because of the extent of the damage, the cause of the fire is undetermined, he said.
Fire departments from Shanksville, Central City, Stoystown, Berlin, Listie, Friedens, Hooversville, Sipesville and Somerset and Berlin EMS were called to the 2:30 a.m. commercial garage fire. The county's Hazardous Materials Response Team was also dispatched.
Awakened by the fire alarm
Robert Hauger said he and his wife, Laura, were awakened early Saturday by the sound of what they thought was their landline telephone or his cell phone beeping. The Haugers' home is next door to the garage, and Robert said he keeps his cell phone next to the bed in case he receives a call for towing.
They soon realized that what they were hearing was actually the garage's fire alarm.
"My wife woke up, and it sounded like a telephone was off the hook," he said. "We looked out (the bedroom window) and saw the flames coming up through the (garage) roof."
Hauger said there were seven vehicles parked in the garage at the time, including several customer vehicles and his rollback tow truck. The vehicles that were being worked on had been sitting in the garage all week, he added.
"We weren't welding or cutting or anything, just nuts and bolts, that type of stuff," Hauger said.
'Defensive from the get-go'
Tanker trucks shuttled back and forth from Shanksville to bring water to the site; in total, 140,000 gallons of water were used to put out the fire, Laura Hauger said.
"It was fully involved with the fire going through the roof when we got there," Abramowich said. "The owner's residence is next door and the fire alarms woke them up. There were six or seven vehicles inside the structure. They hold a lot of heat and form an umbrella situation, which contributed to the difficulty in extinguishing the fire. We also had some wind. The fire (fight) was defensive from the get-go."
Abramowich said Somerset County Emergency Management Agency Director Joel Landis and representatives of the state Department of Environmental Protection were called to the scene because the structure is beside a river. Various paint thinners and chemicals used in auto body work were a concern for contaminating the river, he said.
"Everything was fine. There is no contamination," Abramowich said.
Knockdown was reported at 4 a.m., but the fire departments did not clear the scene until 7 a.m. An excavator was called to the scene to pull the debris apart, Abramowich said. He said no injuries were reported.
'I'm hoping we can rebuild'
"They did a great job; it was just too far out of control to save everything," Robert Hauger said. "The flames were already up through the roof, and once it gets in the rafters, you're done. It just goes the whole way through the building."
Their next steps will take some time to work through since the business's computer was destroyed in the fire as well, Hauger said. He was also thinking about the four employees the fire put out of work.
"We're going to have to see how the finances work out with the coverage of the insurance and everything," Hauger said. "My son was going to take over the business this coming year, I was going to retire out. It's going to be kind of helping (him make) his decision, what he wants to do. My concern is (for) my employees.
"I'm hoping we can rebuild. We thank everybody for their prayers, praying for us."
Abramowich said the loss of the business was also deeply felt by the responding fire company members.
"It was very emotional for the owners. The business has been a staple for the community for as long as I've been here," Abramowich said. "We're really sad to see that go."
He added his appreciation for all the mutual aid departments' help in battling the blaze.
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How Wyatts Towing allegedly circumvented Colorado’s new towing law — and why legislators are pushing for further reform
On the morning of Oct. 19, Wyatts Towing removed a 2016 silver Honda Civic from the parking lot of a gated Broomfield apartment complex for an alleged permit violation.
The vehicle’s owner said Wyatts towed the car improperly and filed a complaint with the Public Utilities Commission, which regulates the Colorado towing industry.
An emailed authorization for the tow appeared to have come from the property’s manager, complete with the person’s name and job title on the apartment complex’s letterhead.
But a PUC investigation found the company set up an email account for the property that Wyatts could access and use to approve tows on its own behalf — an act that goes against state law.
“This subterfuge was just plain wrong from the start,” the PUC investigator, Stephen Seeger, wrote to Wyatts. Since the company makes money from these private-property tows, he continued, “the argument could be made that this amounted to criminal fraud.”
The tow documented in PUC records was a single event at a single apartment complex. Wyatts’ attorney forcefully denied to The Denver Post that the company ever instituted this email practice, though a Wyatts representative didn’t deny the allegations in emails with the PUC.
But the October case represents to consumer advocates and lawmakers why the state needs more stringent guardrails on what they have called systemic predatory towing in Colorado.
HB24-1051, introduced this legislative session, would outlaw property owners from using automated emails to authorize tows. The bill also would mandate that the authorizing party must be a property owner or someone from a rent-collecting third party — banning parking management companies from doing this on the tower’s behalf.
The bill, as introduced, sought to tackle what lawmakers and consumer advocates said was an economic incentive for towers to haul away as many cars as possible. They wanted to shift the entire landscape of residential towing by making property owners pay for tows rather than vehicle owners.
But amid heavy lobbying from the Colorado Apartment Association, one of the state’s most powerful industry groups, legislators have watered down the meat of the bill, eliminating property owners’ financial responsibility.
“They don’t listen up there on (Capitol Hill), they just don’t listen,” said John Connolly, president of the Towing & Recovery Professionals of Colorado, a trade group representing the state’s towing operators, who supported the planned shift in financial responsibility and helped drive this year’s bill. “When you get them under the fire, they buckle.”
“Clearly designed to be deceptive”
When lawmakers and consumer advocates have spoken publicly about the flaws in Colorado towing law, they’ve made not-so-subtle references to one operator in particular: Wyatts Towing.
The company’s owners have cornered the market on every step of the towing process, The Post reported last year. The same people who sell residents permits to park in their apartment complex lots also tow vehicles and can sell those cars at auction if owners can’t afford the fees to retrieve them.
In 2022, legislators passed HB22-1314, a landmark bill that was supposed to tilt the balance of power back to vehicle owners and away from towing carriers. The law, among myriad other changes, forbids towers from authorizing their own tows. Previously, tow truck drivers could approve tows themselves.
The Colorado attorney general, following a yearlong investigation, last year found Wyatts — despite the new law — still allowed its drivers to authorize tows on residential properties for a roughly five-week span in August and September 2022. Wyatts agreed to a $1 million settlement after the AG found “numerous violations of state laws.”
But the alleged email scheme in October outlined in the PUC investigation suggests Wyatts continued the practice of approving the company’s own tows.
On Jan. 10, a community manager for the Arista Flats apartment complex in Broomfield told a PUC investigator that she did not recall authorizing the tow at the heart of the state’s probe.
She told investigators that she had discussed with a Wyatts representative that the apartment complex was not staffed overnight. The towing rep, she said, asked her to set up an email account that Wyatts could access and use to approve tows, the woman said, according to PUC documents.
A few weeks later, Wyatts decided it could not continue with this email authorization and stopped the practice, the PUC investigation found. Still, the scheme represented an “egregious violation” that was “clearly designed to be deceptive,” investigators wrote.
“To be clear, this ‘program’ was designed simply to disguise self-authorized tows by Wyatts’ employees,” Seeger, the state investigator, wrote in an email to the company.
Despite raising the criminal fraud allegations, the PUC fined Wyatts just $258.75.
The Wyatts representative, Matt Phillips, did not deny the email authorization practice in a response to the PUC, only saying he appreciated the explanation for the fine and that the company would comply with the 2022 law.
But Wyatts’ attorney, Jason Dunn, called the fake email allegations by the PUC “a complete fabrication.” He told The Post in a text message that the property manager used an automated email response from their regular work email since many tows occur in the middle of the night — a practice the company has since learned is not a valid form of authorization.
He strongly denied Wyatts had access to an apartment complex’s email account.
“Wyatts did not challenge that conclusion, paid the reduced penalty, and has since advised all property managers that automated authorizations will not be accepted,” Dunn said.
Zach Neumann, executive director of the Community Economic Defense Project, which authored a report on Wyatts’ vertical integration, said the case “reinforces all the concerns we’ve had about their business structure.”
“If you make money from towing you shouldn’t be able to direct tows, because within that structure you have an incentive to take people’s cars improperly,” Neumann said. “It looks like that’s exactly what they were doing.”
“Nobody wants to pay for it”
Bill sponsors this session, in conjunction with the state’s towing association group, wanted to tackle what they called a skewed incentive structure.
Led by Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, a Fort Collins Democrat, the legislators introduced a radical proposal that would have fundamentally changed the way towing is conducted in the state. The drafted bill said, in most cases, private property owners would pay for tows from their lots — not the owners of the vehicles.
This way, they argued, property owners would be far less inclined to call in tows unless they had an urgent need.
“The attorney general has done his job,” Boesenecker said in a Feb. 6 legislative committee hearing. “Now it’s time for the legislature to do ours.”
But the Colorado Apartment Association and other property owners forcefully opposed this change, arguing the increased costs would be passed on to tenants, leading to higher rents. The legislation, the critics argued, would also lead to more unauthorized parking in permitted spaces.
“It’s inviting parking anarchy,” Ed Schoenheit, president of a homeowners association in Colorado Springs, told the committee members.
Bill sponsors feared the industry group’s opposition would prevent the law’s passage as written. As a result, amendments set to be introduced Monday have carved out the property owners’ role in towing payments entirely.
In exchange for these concessions, the apartment association agreed to take a neutral stance on the bill.
Lawmakers wanted to scrap the entire towing system and start over. Instead, some of the financial incentives that drive predatory towing will remain in place.
“I gave them the path,” said Connolly, the towing association president who pushed for the drastic law change. “If they choose not to take it, I don’t know what to say. I’m only one man fighting the battle. No one listens to reason. No one wants to make the hard decision. Nobody wants to pay for it.”
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WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) – New York State is reminding drivers of the expanded “Move Over” law that’s going onto the books at the end of the month.
Governor Kathy Hochul today reminded drivers that the rule will soon be expanded to include all vehicles which will improve highway safety for everyone. Starting March 27, drivers will be required to take precautions, including slowing down and moving over, to avoid a crash with all vehicles stopped along the roadway.
"The expansion of New York’s Move Over Law to include disabled and stopped vehicles in the roadway is critical to achieving the goal of eliminating fatalities on the roadways. With 37 individuals killed outside of disable vehicles on New York’s roadways from 2016 – 2020, Governor Hochul’s actions to expand the Move Over law will fundamentally save lives by putting safety first."
In the years between 2016 to 2020, 37 individuals were killed outside disabled vehicles in New York. Nationally, nearly 300 drivers are struck and killed roadside every year. The Move Over Law was enacted to prevent those tragedies and make New York’s roadways safer for all.
The law first became effective in 2010 to prevent collisions with emergency vehicles that were stopped on the roadway. The law has been expanded several times to also cover hazard vehicles, highway worker vehicles, and tow trucks. In 2023, Governor Hochul signed a bill to further strengthen the law by including this protection for all vehicles stopped on the roadway.
Also today, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee launched a public awareness campaign using radio, social media and other out-of-home elements to remind people they will need to “Slow Down, Move Over” as best they can when they come upon someone stopped on the side of the road or in a driving lane. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, all 50 states have “Move Over” laws to protect law enforcement officers and other first responders, yet one-third of Americans are not aware of these laws.
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Tow truck driver delivers fatal punch in Brooklyn parking spot dispute: NYPD
A parking dispute between two men in Brooklyn turned deadly Saturday when police said one of the men took a swing at the other.
The fatal strike happened on Clarkson Avenue in East Flatbush after a 30-year-old tow truck driver arrived around 8:45 p.m. to remove a car parked illegally, according to police.
Police said the owner of the car, a 61-year-old man, tried to stop the tow. At one point the driver allegedly started banging on the side of the truck to stop the tow.
The altercation became physical, with the tow truck driver delivering a punch that knocked the older man to the ground, police said.
Medics transported the 61-year-old man to Brookdale Hospital but his injuries proved fatal. His identity has not been released by authorities.
Police said the tow truck driver was taken into custody. No criminal charges were immediately announced.
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Life On The Line Co at Connecticut State Capitol:
Selena Kahn Writes:
An amazing opportunity yesterday to give testimony in Connecticut for our safety and protection.
Thank you everyone for the support. You may view this testimony:
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One killed in crash on I-20 and Cedar Ridge in Duncanville, officials say
DUNCANVILLE, Texas — One person was killed in a crash at Eastbound I-20 at Cedar Ridge Drive in Duncanville Wednesday afternoon.
The crash involved a FedEx truck with two trailers, a flatbed tow truck with a vehicle on it and a white sedan, officials said.
Two wreckers were on the right shoulder of the highway preparing to tow a car when the FedEx truck started to pass a car in the right lane and hit the wreckers and car, causing the tow truck drivers to be pinned under the wreckage, officials say. One person was pronounced dead at the scene and another was taken to a hospital by CareFlite. No one else was injured.
Multiple fire crews, EMS and law enforcement were still at the scene of the crash around 2 p.m.
FedEx issued a statement to WFAA following the accident.
“Our thoughts are with all of those involved in this tragic accident, and we extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends who are mourning a loved one lost. Safety is our highest priority, and we are cooperating fully with the investigating authorities at this time.”
This is a developing story. WFAA will update this story as more information becomes available.
Tragedy Strikes on I-20: Tow Operator Killed in FedEx Truck Collision
In a tragic turn of events, a towing operation on I-20 in Duncanville, Texas, led to the death of Oscar Merchan Contreras, a dedicated tow operator. As investigators search for answers, the community is left to reflect on the dangers faced by tow operators and first responders.
In the blink of an eye, a routine towing operation turned into a scene of tragedy on I-20 near Cedar Ridge Drive in Duncanville, Texas, last Wednesday. Oscar Merchan Contreras, a 44-year-old tow operator, lost his life in a devastating collision involving a FedEx truck hauling double trailers. Another tow operator was airlifted to the hospital with serious injuries.
A Day of Tragedy Unfolds on the Shoulder of I-20
On February 7, 2024, around 1:00 p.m., two tow operators were working diligently on the right shoulder of the eastbound lane of I-20. Their mission was simple: to tow a vehicle that had come to an unfortunate halt. However, fate had something else in store for them that fateful day.
As the two men went about their task, a FedEx 18-wheeler, its double trailers stretching along the asphalt, attempted to overtake another vehicle in the right lane. In a cruel twist of fate, the massive truck collided with the tow trucks and the vehicle they were servicing. The force of the impact was immense, and the consequences were dire.
A Life Lost and Another Forever Changed
Oscar Merchan Contreras, a dedicated tow operator with a passion for helping others, was tragically killed in the collision. He was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving behind a void that will never be filled. His partner, though injured, survived the incident and was airlifted to the hospital for medical attention.
The Dallas County Sheriff's Office reported that neither drugs nor alcohol are believed to have played a role in the crash. No charges have been filed as of now, and the investigation into the accident is ongoing.
Searching for Answers in the Wake of Tragedy
As the sun set on that fateful day, loved ones, colleagues, and the Duncanville community were left to grapple with the aftermath of the tragedy. Questions loom large in the minds of those affected: What led to this devastating crash? Could it have been prevented? And, most importantly, how can such incidents be avoided in the future?
The loss of Oscar Merchan Contreras serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers faced by tow operators and other first responders who work tirelessly to keep our roads safe. Their commitment to service, often carried out under challenging and hazardous conditions, deserves our utmost respect and gratitude.
As investigators continue to piece together the events leading up to the collision, the memory of Oscar Merchan Contreras will live on in the hearts of those who knew him, and in the countless lives he touched through his selfless work.
In the wake of this tragedy, let us all take a moment to remember the vital role that tow operators and first responders play in our communities. Their dedication and sacrifice should never be taken for granted.
The events that unfolded on I-20 in Duncanville, Texas, last Wednesday serve as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of vigilance on our roads. As we move forward, may the memory of Oscar Merchan Contreras inspire us all to strive for safer roads and a deeper appreciation for those who work to protect us.
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Accident involving tow truck in North Bergen, NJ; No injuries reported
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Tow truck company takes advantage of low-income family's Christmas surprise
Tower Down - 04.16.24 (TX)
in Industry Headlines
Posted
Tow truck driver injured in SH 121 crash dies from his injuries, police say
The driver who hit the tow truck told officers that "he had fallen asleep, and did not wake up until he felt the impact of the crash."
GRAPEVINE, Texas — A tow truck driver hospitalized after a crash on State Highway 121 has died from his injuries, according to the Grapevine Police Department.
Officers responded just before Noon April 16 to the 2000 block of North SH-121 after reports of a multi-vehicle crash in the southbound lanes. When they arrived they found a man on the roadway with major injuries and his tow truck with rear damage about 30 feet behind him.
The driver of a work truck who admitted to hitting the tow truck stayed at the scene. He was not injured. He told officers that "he had fallen asleep, and did not wake up until he felt the impact of the crash."
The department said in a news release that the victim was responsive and was taken to the hospital and expected to survive. The next day, hospital staff notified Grapevine police that the victim died "from internal injuries."
The victim was identified as 27-year-old Mohammad Ahmed Abdelraheem.
The department has launched a death investigation but said no arrests have been made.
"Extreme fatigue and drowsiness can be just as dangerous for drivers as intoxication. If you or a loved one are too tired to drive, please pull over or seek another ride," the department said in a news release.
This is a developing story please check back for updates.
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