TowNews

Tow truck and SUV fatally collide east of downtown Colorado Springs COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - One person was killed when an SUV collided with a tow truck Tuesday morning. Police say a tow truck hauling a car was passing through the intersection of Pikes Peak and Parkside when the SUV abruptly turned in front of it, causing a t-bone crash. Two people involved were seriously injured and rushed to the hospital, where one later died. As of Wednesday morning, there is no update on the surviving patient’s condition, but their injuries were described immediately after the collision as life-threatening. Springs police have not specified which vehicle the deceased was traveling in. Resource Link

July 12, 2022 ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–At 10:56 a.m. the Robbinsville Township Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire on the New Jersey Turnpike North Bound Outer Lanes at mile post 62.4 near the Sharon Road overpass. A column of heavy black smoke could be seen for miles. Upon arrival it was determined that two vehicles being towed were well involved in fire, and the fire was also extending to the tow truck itself. Robbinsville firefighters arrived and began to extinguish the fire, an extra engine from Robbinsville as well as Hightstown Fire Company arrived to assist in the firefighting operations and for extra water. A tanker was called from Hope Fire Company of Allentown but was not needed with the water supply on location. It did not appear to be any injuries and there was a small traffic delay in the area. New Jersey State Police was on scene. No other details are available at this time.

There must be a Tow Truck Driver/Operator in Chicago who has seen this sneaker truck riding around?

A close call with death prompts tow truck drivers to rally for move over law awareness MORGAN COUNTY, Ind — A near-death experience has local tow truck driver’s rallying around one of their own. They are planning a caravan down I-465 to raise awareness for move over laws. Brian Wagaman was about to load a car onto his tow truck when he was hit by a driver on I-69. The accident sent his tow truck flying, and totaled the oncoming car. Wagaman says he and the other driver survived the accident. “Ambulance came and told me it was another vehicle that hit me going full speed on the highway,” said Wagaman. Wagaman is a local Tik Tok sensation. His half-a-million Tik Tok followers get a daily glimpse into his life on the job. “People seem to identify with what I do. I just be myself, and for some reason people like it,” Wagaman explained. “My first instinct was to get the video camera out and record in case I don’t make it. There would be evidence of what happened to me, so I could tell somebody. I finally have a voice that I can use for good.” The Tik Tok hit home for tow truck drivers around the country, and here in Indy. It prompted a fellow driver to form the caravan for raise awareness for the move over laws in Indiana. “The current law is tow truck drivers are considered emergency vehicles in the state of Indiana. You are to slow down and move over. If you can’t move over, then you are supposed to at least slow down to 20 mph under posted speed limit,” said Chuck McGinnis, a fellow tow truck driver and organizer of the caravan. “I don’t know how to tell you how many times I’ve gotten out, and almost gotten hit since I put one foot on the ground. That’s my life, everybody else’s life that does my job, and even construction workers. We have had quite a few construction workers killed.” “Tow truck drivers all across the entire nation just flooded the comments section of the Tik Tok with stories of when they have been in close calls or been hit. A lot of widows contacted me because they lost their husbands,” added Wagaman. Both Wagaman and McGinnis would like to see legislators allow them to have blue and red lights on their trucks to mimic other first responders. “Texas they are allowed to use red and blues facing the rear only,” explained McGinnis. “We have amber lights, and a lot of Indiana is desensitized by them because of all the construction we have been going through,” said Wagaman. “Missouri, they are allowed to run blue lights, and from what I understand from their truck operators, they have had great success.” The caravan will leave the Marion County Fairgrounds at 3 pm on July 31st. Drivers are asked to show up between 1 pm and 2 pm. There will be a cook out and fireworks show after. The organizers are asking for a $20 dollar donation for tow trucks, and a $10 dollar donations for cars. The proceeds will go toward funding the caravan. Any remaining money will be given to the Riley Children’s Hospital and Peyton Manning’s Children’s hospital. RESOURCE LINK

Illegal parking getting more expensive as Vancouver hikes towing fuel surcharges Parking illegally could soon cost you more after Vancouver city council voted to increase the fuel surcharges collected by towing companies. A staff report recommending the city hike the surcharge to 26 per cent – more than double the current rate of 12 per cent for vehicles towed from public property – was approved during Tuesday's council meeting. The new rate will also replace the existing 13.5 per cent surcharge for vehicles towed from private property. Parking illegally could soon cost you more after Vancouver city council voted to increase the fuel surcharges collected by towing companies. A staff report recommending the city hike the surcharge to 26 per cent – more than double the current rate of 12 per cent for vehicles towed from public property – was approved during Tuesday's council meeting. The new rate will also replace the existing 13.5 per cent surcharge for vehicles towed from private property. "This will help support local business and the economic viability of the tow truck industry," the report said. The increase once again brings the city's towing fuel surcharges in line with those approved by ICBC, which hiked its rate to 26 per cent in April. Vancouver previously increased its rates for towing from public and private property to match ICBC's in 2016 and 2020. "Since then, the cost of diesel fuel, which is a significant expense for tow truck companies, has increased substantially," the report noted. The monthly average retail price of diesel has soared from $1/litre in January 2016 to $2.32/litre in May 2022, according to the city. When the change takes effect, illegal parkers won't be the only ones paying more. Since hired tow trucks will charge the same rate, Vancouver staff estimate the new surcharges will cost the city $50,000 more this year for the towing of publicly owned vehicles and equipment. That additional expense is expected to be covered by "existing engineering budgets for towing," the report added. Vehicles parked illegally on city streets and in public parks face a base impound fee of $77.46. The current 12 per cent surcharge adds $9.30 to that total, for tows of six kilometres or less, according to the City of Vancouver's website. Under the new surcharge, which is expected to come into effect following the next council meeting on July 19, drivers would be dinged about $20. RESOURCE LINK

AAA worker struck, killed on Prince George’s County highway while refueling vehicle BOWIE, Md. - Authorities say a AAA worker was struck and killed late Tuesday night in Prince George's County while refueling a vehicle on the side of the highway. The incident happened shortly after 11:15 p.m. along westbound Route 50 in the area of Collington Road in Bowie. Officers say AAA worker Anthony Okozi, 69, of Upper Marlboro, was providing fuel to a disabled motorist on the shoulder of the highway when he was struck by the driver of a Jeep heading westbound on Route 50. Investigators say Okozi was pronounced dead at the scene. He was using emergency yellow strobe lights and traffic cones and was wearing a reflective vest at the time of the crash. The driver of the Jeep, 21-year-old Joseph Anderson of Rockville, faces charges. "Our hearts go out to Anthony’s loved ones as well as his AAA colleagues during this very difficult time. We will be forever grateful to Anthony and all first responders who have given their lives while helping others," said Kevin Micsko, Vice-President of Fleet Operations at AAA Club Alliance, in a statement released Wednesday. The investigation is continuing at this time. RESOURCE LINK From AAA: We are devastated by the loss of Anthony Okozi. He was helping a AAA member when he was struck by another driver. Just like Anthony, other AAA service providers and first responders work along busy roadways so that they can rescue those in need. Remember when you are driving - please pay attention and if you see someone, anyone at the side of the road - always slow down and when possible, move over one lane. We must protect those who risk their lives to help others and prevent another family from losing a loved one. From AAA Alliance: We are deeply saddened by the death of one of our drivers in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Anthony Okozi, Roadside Assistance Technician, was helping a Member who had run out of fuel when he was struck by a motorist. “Our hearts go out to Anthony’s loved ones as well as his AAA colleagues during this very difficult time. We will be forever grateful to Anthony and all first responders who have given their lives while helping others,” said Kevin Micsko, Vice-President, Fleet Operations, AAA Club Alliance. Anthony joined the AAA Upper Marlboro Fleet in June of last year. Supervisors say he had taken the job in transition to retirement, which he was planning for early next year. Okozi’s death illustrates why Slow Down, Move Over laws are critical to everyone’s safety. The best thing drivers can do is move over and away from vehicles and people on the side of the road. “Whether someone is fixing a tire or working on a tow, all motorists must slow down and move over a lane, if they can do so safely, to create more space for those working at the roadside. Their lives are on your shoulders,” Micsko added.   The Maryland State Police continue their investigation into the crash.

It’s with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our longtime employee and family member, Rose Goode Anderson. Rose spent 20+ years of her time and dedication to the towing industry and she will be greatly missed! Please keep all of our family and employees as well as the many people in our industry whose hearts are broken today in your thoughts and prayers! Service date and time will be posted as soon as we know more information!

Woman Killed In Crash After Speeding Tow Truck T-Bones Car In West Mount Airy, Police Say Police say a tow truck was speeding on Lincoln Drive when it T-boned a car on Emlen Street. PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A woman is dead after a violent crash in Philadelphia’s West Mount Airy section. Police say a tow truck was speeding on Lincoln Drive when it T-boned a car on Emlen Street, just before 11 p.m. Sunday. The 24-year-old woman driving that car died at the scene. The tow truck driver was not injured. RESOURCE LINK

Pedestrian fatality on I-5 prompts hours-long closure of northbound lanes The northbound lanes of Interstate 5 were shut down for several hours Saturday morning in the Newhall Pass after a pedestrian was struck and killed on the freeway, according to California Highway Patrol officials. The incident occurred at approximately 4 a.m., according to Officer Moises Marroquin with the CHP. Los Angeles County Fire Department officials said they received a call of a pedestrian being struck by a tow truck on the northbound I-5 near Weldon Canyon Road, according to Supervising Fire Dispatcher Melanie Flores. Flores also said that no one was transported to the hospital and that the pedestrian was dead on arrival. A Sig Alert was issued at 6:45 a.m. and all northbound traffic into the Santa Clarita Valley was being diverted to Highway 14, according to the CHP traffic incident information web page. The Sierra Highway/Foothill Boulevard on-ramp to the northbound I-5 was also closed. Heavy traffic was reported on the northbound I-5 south of the SCV, back to Roxford Street in Sylmar. All lanes on the northbound I-5 were reopened around 10 a.m. Resource Link

Driver under the influence strikes parked tow truck. No further details available.

A 911 call came in out of Phelan on Tuesday night, June 14, 2022. A neighbor of a woman who lives off of Begonia Road was calling in about two suspicious men on a property. The caller did not recognize the two men. According to the caller, the two men appeared to be loading a maroon Ford F-150 on to a tow truck. The caller told police they did not believe the men belonged on the property and provided descriptions of both men and the vehicles. The two suspects drove away, towing the F-150. Police from the Victor Valley Station saw the flatbed tow truck on Palmdale Road with the Ford F-150. Authorities made contact with the driver, who was identified as Reginald Tennyson, and the passenger, William Hart. When police made contact with the homeowner, she confirmed that the F-150 was taken off her property without permission. Through further investigation, deputies then learned the suspects had also allegedly entered the woman’s home. Stolen property from inside the house was located in the bed of the truck. During a search of the tow truck, deputies also discovered methamphetamine, heroin, drug paraphernalia and $12,000.00 in cash. Reginald Tennyson and William Hart were arrested and booked at High Desert Detention Center. Tennyson is currently being held in lieu of $75,000.00 bail. William Hart has been released on bail and due to appear in court on August 1, 2022. Reource Link

A tow truck driver helped to defuse a tense situation in Crystal City yesterday (Wednesday) morning. Police were dispatched to the area for a man standing on the edge of a Route 1 overpass. It was unclear why the man was standing there, but there was concern that he might jump to the roadway below. Video shared with ARLnow, below, shows the shirtless man gesticulating wildly while standing above 15th Street S. A police source told ARLnow that a driver with Advanced Towing stopped and “talked this guy down.” Reached via email, Advanced owner John O’Neill confirmed the report. “One of my drivers… noticed a man [who] walked out on an overpass,” he said. “Ryan called 911 but approached the man and talked him into not doing anything dumb.” Police were later able to catch up with the man and get him help. A police spokeswoman described the incident as a “mental health call for service.” “At approximately 9:26 a.m. on June 29, an off-duty officer observed a man walking along northbound Richmond Highway,” Arlington County Police Department Public Information Officer Ashley Savage tells ARLnow. “Additional calls to the Emergency Communications Center stated the man was standing near the edge of the overpass in the area of 15th St. S. and S. Eads St. The individual subsequently left the area and was located by responding officers in the Crystal City Shops.” Advanced Towing is arguably the most frequently criticized local business in Arlington, earning the ire of locals for its ruthless efficiency in towing unauthorized vehicles in private parking lots (and, occasionally — allegedly — damaging vehicles in the process). An incident with then-ESPN reporter Britt McHenry made national news and there’s even a website devoted to calling the company a “fraud.” A lawsuit by former Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring called Advanced “predatory” and accused it of “illegal” tows. O’Neill later told ARLnow that he felt “vindicated” when the case only resulted in a $750 fine, asserting that Advanced only tows vehicles that are parked illegally. O’Neill said Wednesday’s incident shows that Advanced’s reputation does not match its true character. “We are always cast in a negative light but if my driver had not been doing his job this man may have hurt himself,” he said. “I’m really proud of my employee for intervening.” Resource Link

Body camera footage shows deputies responding to a crash involving a bear on I-43 in the Hale Interchange. The tow truck driver called to clear the road said he initially thought it was a joke.

Three injured after Rock County deputy collides with tow truck ROCK COUNTY, Wis. (WTVO) — A Rock County Sheriff’s Deputy suffered minor injuries in a collision with a tow truck, authorities said Thursday. The crash happened around 3:53 p.m. at E L T Townline Road and South Prairie Avenue in Turtle Township, police said. The deputy was headed to help another jurisdiction that had a report of a victim with a gunshot wound, officials explained. The occupants of the tow truck also suffered minor injuries, police said. The crash is under investigation by the Wisconsin State Patrol. Resource Link

Const. Bindo Showan, 59, pleaded guilty on June 7 to one count of breach of trust for steering business to two companies owned by Sutheshkumar Sithambarpillay, who has been regularly featured on “Heavy Rescue: 401.” An OPP officer with an “exemplary” service record received a suspended sentence Thursday after admitting he broke the law by steering at least $500,000 worth of business to two Toronto tow truck companies owned by a man featured on a reality TV show. Superior Court Justice Gillian Roberts’s decision shines a light on the cut-throat practices within the GTA’s violence-plagued towing industry, and on the favouritism shown by some officers who, as public servants, are prohibited from giving preferential treatment to any person or entity. Const. Bindo Showan, 59, pleaded guilty on June 7 to one count of breach of trust. The Crown did not proceed on a charge that he corruptly accepted a benefit. The defence argued the absence of personal gain made the offence less serious. The judge disagreed. While the Crown had not proven Showan personally benefited, “it does not mean that the defence has proved there was no personal gain. There is simply no evidence before me one way or the other.” Three other OPP police officers are still facing related charges, as is Sutheshkumar Sithambarpillay, the owner of the towing companies that received $500,000 in towing revenue with Showan’s help. Sithambarpillay has been regularly featured on the Discovery Canada reality TV show “Heavy Rescue: 401,” where he has appeared in 21 episodes under the name Steve Pillay. The show profiles the work of several heavy towing companies in the Toronto area. Contacted by the Star Thursday, Sithambarpillay’s lawyer, Kally Ho, said she had no comment as his matter is still pending. He is due in court next month. The allegations against Sithambarpillay have not been proven in court. The charges stemmed from a 2020 Toronto police investigation into alleged corruption among highway cops, focusing on tows in the GTA connected to stunt driving offences under Section 172 of the Highway Traffic Act. Drivers caught going 50 km/h over the posted speed limit must have their vehicle impounded for seven days. “The fee for such impounds can often yield upwards of $2,000 per vehicle to the tow company,” according to the agreed facts read in court on June 7. OPP policy dictates that drivers choose which towing company to contact. Though that can be overridden by an officer, they are supposed to contact “the first available” truck. An analysis of Showan’s four-year history of stunt driving enforcement with the the OPP’s 407 detachment between 2016 and 2020 showed a majority of his tows were conducted by either Steve’s Towing or CCC Towing, two of the larger towing companies in the GTA, the prosecutor said. Both companies are owned by Sithambarpillay. At Showan’s guilty plea, the prosecution presented an agreed statement of facts that referred to surveillance and wiretaps showing Showan and Sithambarpillay were in regular communication, both on the phone and in person. There were several examples. On April 5, 2020, Maple Towing was first on the scene to tow a vehicle to Quebec — until Showan and a Steve’s Towing flatbed truck showed up and took it away. “You got a good one — Montreal is a good one,” Showan said to Sithambarpillay afterwards in an intercepted call, according to the agreed statement of facts. Later that day, on another call between the two men, Sithambarpillay said, “let’s see what we can do tomorrow.” Showan responded, “for sure.” Wiretaps also captured Showan offering to get takeout food for Sithambarpillay, and an OPP surveillance team then saw the two men meet roadside, according to the agreed statement of facts. About an hour later, Showan stopped a blue Porsche. “About eight minutes later, a tow truck from Steve’s Towing attended the scene and removed the Porsche,” the agreed statement said. Court heard that some tow truck drivers follow OPP officers from the detachment to enforcement locations and position their trucks at known “fishing holes” where they knew police speed traps would be set up, despite officers being told not to allow this. “The fact that this was a highly competitive industry rife with problems should have resulted in the police behaving with scrupulous care,” the judge wrote in her reasons for sentence released Thursday. “Rather than being part of the solution, however, Mr. Showan became part of the problem. To make matters worse, he did so in the face of specific and repeated warnings not to show favouritism to any tow truck companies.” Showan had been a police officer since 2001. He joined the OPP’s 407 detachment in 2016, where 34 officers are assigned. While his lawyer, Philip Wright, asked for a conditional discharge, the judge accepted Crown attorney Jason Nicol’s argument that Showan should receive a suspended sentence, which he will serve out of custody so long as he fulfils his sentencing conditions, including not to contact Sithambarpillay. The judge noted that Showan has suffered greatly since the charges were laid. He is “embarrassed and ashamed” and has apologized profusely to colleagues, family, friends, the court and all the people who have trusted him. He remains suspended with pay, and faces disciplinary proceedings and could lose his job. Judge Roberts added that while his distinguished policing career, attested to in reviews and letters, is “impressive,” his position as a police officer, and the powers that come with it, mean that he must be held to a higher standard of accountability. “If our best officers can be corrupted, that strikes me as a reason to emphasize the importance of general deterrence and denunciation.” Resource Link

Suspected DUI driver causes fiery crash involving state trooper, tow truck MONUMENT, Colo. (KKTV) - A driver is facing DUI charges after careening into a State Patrol motorcycle and a tow truck early Wednesday morning. According to State Patrol, the trooper and the tow operator were wrapping up at the scene of an earlier crash on I-25 just south of Baptist Road when the pickup came barreling towards them. The pickup smashed into both vehicles, causing the motorcycle to catch fire and damaging the tow enough that a second tow truck was required to haul it from the scene. State Patrol says the trooper and tow truck driver were both standing away from the vehicles and were uninjured in the crash. The passenger in the pickup suffered serious injuries but is expected to recover. The person involved in the initial crash sustained minor injuries. A trooper who was assisting with the investigation into the DUI crash suffered a mishap at the scene and was taken to the hospital for their own injury. State Patrol didn’t have any further details, other than it was nothing life-threatening. The driver who caused the crash was taken to the hospital for evaluation before being taken into custody. Resource Link

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — The driver accused in a weekend hit and run that put a tow truck operator in the hospital is facing a criminal charge. Port St. Lucie police said the crash happened on N.E. Airoso Boulevard, Saturday morning at 12:30 a.m. The 46-year-old victim was parked in the right northbound lane, and unloading a car, when the suspect crashed into him and the tow truck. But then, the suspect drove away from the scene and did not help the victim. The tow truck operator was taken to the hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries. Sunday evening, Jacob Andrews of Ft. Pierce turned himself in. Officers said the 29-year-old suspect panicked and went home, where he hid the vehicle on the side of his house. Andrews was taken from the police department to jail and charged with hit and run involving serious bodily injury. He was released before 5 a.m. Monday in lieu of $2,500 cash bond. Police want to remind everyone that the state’s Move Over Law requires drivers to move over a lane when possible, or slow to 20 mph less than the speed limit. It applies to law enforcement, emergency, sanitation, utility, tow trucks, and maintenance or construction vehicles on the side of the road. Resource Link

Passenger killed after driver hits tow truck working on the Lodge Freeway in Detroit Tow truck partially blocking right lane while assisting broken down vehicle, police said DETROIT – A woman was killed early Monday morning after the vehicle she was riding in reportedly crashed into a tow truck on the Lodge Freeway near I-75. Michigan State Police say that at a 36-year-old woman from Westland was killed in a car crash at about 2:45 a.m. on Monday, June 20. The woman was riding passenger in a Monte Carlo that was reportedly driven by a 40-year-old man from Detroit. A tow truck was said to be assisting a broken down vehicle on the right shoulder of the Lodge Freeway (M-10). The tow truck was partially blocking the right lane of the freeway, but had emergency lights activated, police said. The driver of the Monte Carlo reportedly struck the back left corner of the tow truck with his vehicle. The woman passenger was killed in the crash. The driver and the tow truck operator were not injured, police said. The crash occurred on northbound M-10 between I-75 and the Forest Avenue exit. The freeway was closed for several hours for an investigation, but has since reopened to traffic. Chopper footage from the scene can be seen in the video above. No other details have been shared at this time. Resource Link

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — AAA is reminding drivers to slow down and watch for road workers in construction zones. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 857 people were killed in work zones in 2020, up from 845 the year before. While the number of deaths in cars actually decreased, there was a big jump in the number of crash fatalities among bicyclists and people on foot, with road workers making up the vast majority of work zone pedestrians. “Road crews have a very short window of opportunity in the summer months to complete essential work on our highways and bridges,” says AAA Idaho spokesman Matthew Conde. “They look out for our safety, and it’s only fair that we return the favor.” AAA offers the following tips to help drivers safely navigate road construction: Slow down Ditch the distractions Expect the unusual Watch for sudden stops Every state, including Idaho, has a ‘Slow Down, Move Over’ law. Please slow down below the speed limit when approaching an emergency vehicle with flashing lights on the side of the road and, if possible, move over at least one lane to provide workers with additional space to do their job,” Conde said. “To keep your focus on safe driving, a good rule of thumb when you see an emergency vehicle, tow truck, or construction crew is to act like your loved ones are there.” Resource Link

BURNHAM — The driver of a tow truck involved in a suspected DUI crash Tuesday has been identified by police. Mifflin County Regional Police Department said 37-year-old Kyle M. Parson, of McClure was driving a GMC “rollback” tow truck at 1:37 p.m. Tuesday along Logan Boulevard when he drifted out of the lane of travel and struck the rear of a parked Chevrolet Silverado pickup, causing the pickup to strike a vehicle parked in front of it, which then caused that vehicle to strike the vehicle in front of it. Police said Parson was found to be under the influence of alcohol and that alcoholic beverage containers were found in the cab of the truck. Parson was arrested and taken to Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital for a blood draw, and police said results would be available in approximately two weeks. Police said the vehicle was owned by Parson’s Auto Sales and Salvage of McClure (which is not affilated with Parson’s Towing and Recovery of Lewistown), the truck was not registered and had an expired inspection sticker. The tow truck was towed from the scene by a different tow company and police said a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation inspection is planned for later in the week. Resource Link

Tow truck companies in Ocean City will soon have to abide by a few new rules after complaints of predatory towing made their way to city officials, along with one company not requesting reimbursement from the city for tows until after a year. Ocean City Police Capt. Mike Colbert introduced two resolutions to the police commission on Monday. The first resolution establishes an administrative fee that would be imposed if a towing company fails to ask for reimbursement from Ocean City more than 90 days after the tow occurred. Colbert said the fee is being proposed after one towing company continued to tow vehicles for an entire year before asking for reimbursement, when normally, the reimbursement is asked within 30 days of a tow. “These guys didn’t ask for money for an entire year,” Colbert said, though he did not mention the company’s name. Councilman Matt James asked Colbert and City Solicitor Heather Stansbury why the city should impose the fee after 90 days when the tow companies are required to request reimbursement within 30 days. Stansbury said the timeline could be shortened to 30 days, but the money could not be forfeited. “I just don’t like how we always have to hold people’s hands,” James said. The second proposed modification addresses predatory towing, or when tow truck operators go to private properties and take vehicles away without permission. The intent of the resolution is to tighten the rules when towing vehicles off private lots. Whenever vehicles are towed from private properties, a form must be filled out that lays out what the requirements are. Many truck drivers, according to Colbert, already have the forms pre-filled with a property manager or owner’s signature. That can lead to vehicles being towed at will. If the proposed resolution is approved, property managers or owners will be required to take a picture of the vehicle that is illegally parked in their lot. The photo would then be sent to the towing company to say this is the car and it is not allowed to be on the premises. The idea, as mentioned during the meeting, is to curb predatory towing, and with the widespread use of cell phone cameras, it is possible for the property management to send a picture to the towing company. Stansbury also said the resolution is trying to prevent tow companies from doing something illegal. Capt. Elton Harmon added that the photo requirement ensures that tow truck drivers driving around with pre-filled forms won’t be able to use them as justification. After a brief discussion, the commission endorsed both resolutions, which will go before a full City Council at an upcoming meeting. Resource Link

Concord hit-and-run suspect Police released photos of the suspect’s car and the suspect. The photos were captured from surveillance video systems prior to the crash.