TowNews

The red, white and blue 1965 Chevy tow truck owned by New Beginnings Gold Country that residents have seen parked around El Dorado County, displayed at local car shows or cruising along in the annual Hangtown Christmas parade might not be able to help the nonprofit re-entry ministry raise awareness and funds for its mission to the extent it has in the past. The truck, nicknamed “Towey,” was hit Feb. 10 by another vehicle as it awaited its next assignment in front of the New Beginnings Thrift Store on Missouri Flat Road in Placerville. The classic truck sustained major damage and ministry leader Randy Haskins said he estimates the cost for repairs will total $30,000, although he had not yet received an estimate from a repair shop. The tow truck was struck at about 3:45 a.m., according to the Placerville office of the California Highway Patrol. The driver of a 2008 Ford Escape who was reportedly traveling north at about 55 mph on Missouri Flat Road made an unsafe left turn and left the roadway where the vehicle struck a guy wire and barreled into the New Beginnings parking lot. “Anything can be repaired but (the tow truck) is so far gone, it’s probably going to cost 10 times as much to repair it than what it’s worth,” Haskins said. Haskins said New Beginnings is considering replacing the tow truck with a new truck instead of having it repaired. A new truck would have much to live up to though, with Towey gaining a lot of popularity over the years as the organization’s mascot, especially in the “spot the tow truck” contest where people took selfies with the truck if found. “It’s been a such a valuable fundraising tool. It would really be sad not to have another option,” New Beginnings Operations Manager Emma Burns said. Burns said New Beginnings employees arrived to work that morning to see Towey surrounded by caution tape and debris from the collision. The New Beginnings sign also took damage. It was built with a 6-by-6-inch beam and blown out of the concrete on impact. “We had a serious concern about the driver when we saw the damage,” Burns said. “Not only their physical well-being but with their spiritual well-being too.” The driver of the Escape, 39-year-old Jared M. Chapman of Placerville, sustained minor injuries and was transported by ambulance for treatment at Marshall Hospital, according to CHP. CHP officials say DUI is not suspected in the crash. Now left without a fundraising tool, Haskins said he has to consider his next plan of action. “I’m always trying to figure out how to make lemonade out of lemons and make the best of a bad situation,” Haskins said. “I’m going to buy a trailer since the truck is not drivable at all. I’m going to put (the tow truck) on a trailer and leave it out and use it for the car show season coming up.” Resource Link

6-year-old and mother in hospital following Wednesday night crash KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A 6-year-old girl and her mother were taken to the hospital after they crashed into a tow truck Wednesday evening According to the Kansas City Police Department, a Chevrolet sedan traveling south on I-435 hit the back of a Chevrolet flatbed tow truck just south of Eastwood at about 6:11 p.m. The 6-year-old is listed in critical condition and her 38-year-old mother is listed in serious condition. The driver of the tow truck was not injured in the crash. The crash required the closure of two lanes on southbound I-435 for about 2 hours during the investigation. Resource Link

Plea deal may be in works for tow truck driver in Flag Bike Party crash The tow truck driver who struck multiple people during the 2021 Flagstaff Bike Party crash and is also accused of possessing thousands of images of child pornography may get a plea deal. Normand Cloutier appeared virtually in Coconino County Superior Court on Monday alongside his Phoenix-based attorney, James Simpson. The hearing was technically dedicated to the 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor Cloutier is facing, but it quickly diverged, alluding to a possible resolution in both the alleged child pornography case and the Bike Party crash. Parker Stanley, prosecutor for the Coconino County Attorney's Office, indicated an indictment has been filed in another case against Cloutier. It's not clear whether the indictment stems from the Bike Party or is something different altogether. A copy of the indictment wasn't immediately available Monday. The Arizona Daily Sun requested a copy of the document and additional details Monday, but the indictment had been sealed. He is set to appear in court again on Feb. 22 for an arraignment in the second case. Stanley said the state is reaching out to the victims in the case to meet. He also noted they're considering a plea deal outside of a formal trial. Cloutier was indicted on 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in September 2021 after detectives allegedly found more than 7,000 sexually explicit images on his phone while investigating the collision. Officials allege Cloutier ran a red light while turning right onto Butler Avenue on May 28, 2021, while driving a heavy-duty tow truck hauling a box truck. The vehicle collided with a large gathering of cyclists riding to bring attention to bike safety. Joanna "Jo" Wheaton was killed and multiple others were injured. Resource Link

A local tow truck operator and volunteer firefighter says he is lucky to be alive today and credits local first reponders and caring citizens for protecting him while he lay on Interstate 10, after a freak accident rendered him unconscious while on a service call. Jason Mulliner was sent by his employer to assist a disabled 18-wheeler on Interstate 10 Sunday, Jan. 30 after 7:30 p.m. “I was dispatched to air up a flat tire on an 18-wheeler,” Mulliner said. “I was getting my things together to complete the job. I don’t remember the accident at all.” Kerrville Police Department Sgt. Jonathan Lamb, public informations officer, was able to fill in the blanks. “He was attempting to repair a tire of a 18 wheeler. A passing vehicle apparently drove over his hose, causing the tow truck driver (Mulliner) to be tangled in the hose and causing him to fall and strike his head,” Lamb said. “The vehicle never stopped, however, it is possible the driver never knew what happened.” The passing vehicle’s speed caused Mulliner to be slammed to the pavement with great force that resulted in severe head trauma. Mulliner said he learned the driver of the 18-wheeler he was servicing witnessed the accident and quickly called 9-1-1. Kerrville Police Department officers immediately responded and protected Mulliner from oncoming traffic until Kerrville Fire Department medics could arrive within minutes of the call. Once on scene, KFD personnel called for an air ambulance, while KPD officers shut down the interstate so that the helicopter could land nearby and to allow medics to treat Mulliner’s injuries. “The only thing I remember is coming to for a few seconds on the helicopter and looking over to see the city lights in San Antonio,” Mulliner said. He was flown to University Hospital in San Antonio, where Mulliner said he received multiple staples to his head and numerous MRI tests, CAT scans and X-rays. “I was in the hospital right at 24 hours for observation,” Mulliner said. “I was diagnosed with a fractured skull.” His injuries have left lingering effects, but Mulliner said he is expected to make a full recovery. “I keep getting vertigo and short-term memory loss. I have some pain in my shoulder, as well as chronic headaches, but I expect this will go away soon.” Mulliner is incredibly optimistic on his prognosis, but understands just how fortunate he was to survive the accident and that he was protected from passing vehicles while lying on the interstate. “I consider myself extremely lucky,” Mulliner said. “Not everybody gets to walk away from something like this.” As a first responder himself, Mulliner has responded to many emergency situations in his role as a veteran Center Point Volunteer Fire Department firefighter. “The only thing I can say about that is I now know what it is like to be on both sides,” Mulliner said. “I really wish people would listen and adhere to the “move over law.” People may not understand how important this law is. Until it is them on the side of the road, they just don’t understand what could happen.” Mulliner is referring to Section 545.157 of the Texas Transportation Code that, which states, in summary: “This law requires drivers to move over a lane or slow to 20 mph below the posted speed limit when approaching emergency vehicles, law enforcement, tow trucks, utility service vehicles, TxDOT vehicles or other highway construction or maintenance vehicles using visual signals or flashing lights activated on the roadside. On roadways with posted speed limits of 25 miles per hour or less, drivers must reduce their speed to 5 miles per hour.” “Whenever you see a vehicle on the side of the road, always err on the side of caution and slow down and move over if possible,” Mulliner said. According to Mulliner, first responders on the scene were able to contact his employer, who then contacted his wife to inform her of the accident. “I would like to thank the truck driver I was providing service to for being quick and calling 9-1-1 and all of the Kerrville Fire Department EMS and police department for the rapid response. Without them I don't think I would be here today,” Mulliner said. Mulliner said he is being taken care of well by his family, friends and his employer. He hopes to be back on the job and with CPVFD soon. Resource Link

Rutherford Police Department: Carstadt Police: Sadly, today we report that tragedy has struck our extended family. A driver from Nick's Towing Service, Inc. was struck last night while in the course of their duties. He is in extremely critical condition as of the last update. Most of you already know how much love and support our communities receive from Nick’s Towing. More importantly the support our emergency services receives from them is second to none. They are always willing to help anyone in need. You may be aware of their selfless acts of kindness to stranded motorists and even their acts of heroism as they come upon motor vehicle crashes and other emergencies while in the course of their normal duties. We are asking you to keep them in your thoughts and prayers, hoping for the best!

Baby dies after tow truck slams into car in NW Harris Co.

HORRIFIC ROUTE 3 CRASH: Tow Truck Driver Struck, Critically Injured Clearing Highway UPDATE: A tow truck driver was fighting for his life after he was gravely injured by an out-of-control vehicle while responding to a previous accident on Route 3 in Rutherford, authorities said. Police had closed down several lanes and the shoulder while placing their vehicles and cones behind the initial two-car crash scene on the westbound highway near Park Avenue -- west of Route 17 and east of the Passaic River -- around 9:45 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, Police Chief John Russo said. Robert Thornton, 31, of Nick's Towing Service in Rutherford, had one of the vehicles on the flatbed and was preparing the second when a three-vehicle crash occurred behind the police about 45 minutes later, Russo said. One vehicle hit another, spinning it out, then barreled "straight down the shoulder," nearly hitting several officers, as well as occupants from the first crash and marked police units, the chief said. It then struck the car that Thornton was working on, he said. Officers freed him from under the vehicle and rendered aid, Russo said. Thornton, a former firefighter who lives in Ridgefield Park and volunteers with the Moonachie First Aid & Rescue Squad, was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center. "Everybody did everything right," Russo said. "The highway was shut down. Vehicles and cones were used to block the area. There were emergency lights on. Everyone had on their vests. It's terrible." The driver in the second crash was hospitalized, as was a pregnant occupant of the first car she hit and an occupant involved in the first accident, Russo said. None of their injuries were considered life-threatening, he said. Detectives investigating the crashes include an officer of Russo's who's a member of the Bergen County Prosecutor's Fatal Accident Investigations Unit. Interviews were being conducted over the next several days, the chief said. "At the moment, it doesn't appear criminal," he said. Russo thanked Nick’s Towing Service, the Rutherford Ambulance Corps and several other BLS units that responded, as well as the Bergen County Sheriff's Bureau of Criminal Identification, which collected evidence, firefighters from Rutherford, police from Lyndhurst and East Rutherford and the New Jersey Department of Transportation "for their assistance throughout the night." Resource Link Tow truck driver struck by vehicle at highway crash scene, cops say A tow driver was seriously injured Saturday night when he was struck by a vehicle at a Route 3 crash scene where he was working on a damaged vehicle, Rutherford police said. The incident occurred at 10:30 p.m. on a westbound stretch of the highway at mile marker 5.2, police said. The victim, from Nick’s Towing Service in Rutherford, had been called to a 9:45 p.m. crash in which two vehicles were damaged to the point they needed to be towed. Two passengers suffered minor injuries in that crash that required ambulance crews to respond to the scene, police said. As police, fire and EMS personnel were on scene, at about 10:30 p.m., another crash occurred behind them and among three vehicles - one which careened into the rear of one of the vehicles from the first crash scene. The tow truck driver was struck while standing in front of the disabled vehicle. The tow driver suffered severe injuries and was promptly treated on scene and taken to Hackensack University Medical Center by a Rutherford ambulance and Hackensack University medics, police said. “Although the investigation will be ongoing for the next few days, there is nothing at this point of the investigation that points to any criminality,” rutherford police said in a statement Sunday. The Lyndhurst, East Rutherford police departments and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department assisted at the scene. Resource Link

Pittsburgh police have arrested a father and son in connection with Thursday night shootings that injured two people in the city’s North Side. Kurt Ianuzzo, 51, and Jake Ianuzzo, 22, both of the North Side, are both charged with three counts each of attempted homicide and aggravated assault as well as firing a gun into an occupied structure. Police filed an additional weapons charge against Kurt Ianuzzo. Officers responded to multiple Shotspotter alerts about 10:40 p.m. Thursday in the 1000 block of Woods Run Avenue. They found a male victim with a gunshot wound to his back in a home in the 900 block of Woods Run. The victim, who was taken by ambulance to Allegheny General Hospital in critical condition, told police he was shot in the back while watching television in his bedroom, according to court documents. A second victim, who was shot in the ankle, was found sitting in a tow truck at Woods Run and Maridale Avenue. They also were taken to the hospital, but they were listed in stable condition, police said. The second victim and the Ianuzzos are tow truck drivers, the victim told investigators. The victim and a sibling confronted the Ianuzzos at the father and son’s Woods Run home after the Ianuzzos arrived first at the scene of an earlier wreck on Route 65 at the McKees Rocks Bridge and an argument ensued, according to court papers. The victim told police the Ianuzzos went inside their house and each returned with a gun and began shooting at the victim, who noticed the ankle wound while driving away. Court documents indicate Kurt Ianuzzo told police that he returned fire after the victim and sibling allegedly shot first and that “his son had nothing to do with it.” Police said surveillance video shows the Ianuzzos emerging from their house with Kurt carrying two firearms, including a sawed-off shotgun, and Jake carrying an assault rifle. The victim and sibling, who did not appear to be armed, were “approximately four houses down the street and Jake and Kurt began to fire in their direction,” according to court documents. The Ianuzzos were firing in the direction of the home where the man watching television was struck, police said. Video footage shows that “Jake and Kurt then run onto the front porch and continue to shoot in a reckless manner down Woods Run Avenue,” court papers state. Both suspects were placed in the Allegheny County Jail, where they are awaiting preliminary hearings. Resource Link

Police catch eight alleged impaired drivers in less than 12 hours: Halifax RCMP HALIFAX - Police in the Halifax area charged one driver and suspended the licences of seven others for offences related to impaired driving in less than 12 hours Thursday. Halifax District RCMP says an officer and a tow-truck operator were dealing with a vehicle on Highway 101 near the Lower Sackville, N.S., exit when a vehicle narrowly avoided hitting them. Police say the officer stopped the vehicle and the driver, a 57-year-old man from Lower Sackville, appeared to be impaired. According to police, the man was arrested for impaired operation of a conveyance and was taken to the Lower Sackville RCMP detachment, where he provided samples of breath that were more than twice the legal limit. The 57-year-old was released from custody on an appearance notice. He is set to appear in Halifax provincial court on March 30. Police say the man, who was not named, is facing charges of impaired operation of a conveyance and operation of a conveyance over 80mg%. The man was also issued three summary offence tickets for driving while having a revoked licence, illegally transporting cannabis in a vehicle and failing to move over for an emergency vehicle. Halifax District RCMP officers also conducted an initiative targeting impaired driving between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Thursday. During that time, police say officers suspended the licences of seven drivers for allegedly operating a conveyance while having consumed alcohol. Resource Link

Announcing the first exclusive full-time track recovery service team in history to partner with NASCAR Team STEPPS is excited and proud to announce that they are the first exclusive full-time track recovery service team in history to partner with NASCAR. Serving as the inaugural race recovery team, Stepps well-trained and dedicated towing professionals will be fully committed and prepared to provide the best-in-class on track response throughout the season. Start Your Engines! NASCAR partners with Stepp’s Towing Service for track recovery services Official NASCAR Release NASCAR.com February 9, 2022 at 11:00 AM DAYTONA BEACH, FL — NASCAR announced Wednesday an official partnership with Stepp’s Towing Service, Inc., a Florida-based company that has been designated the Official Track Recovery Service Partner of NASCAR. Stepp’s Towing Service will provide towing and wrecker vehicles for a majority of NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events. NASCAR’s Track Services team members began training with the vehicles last month, working in conjunction with the American Medical Response safety team. “Recovery response is a critical part of NASCAR, allowing us to safely host events without taking away from the excitement and competition that fans are used to seeing on the track each week,” said Mike Phillips, NASCAR’s managing director of track services. “The addition of Stepp’s Towing Service gives our on-track recovery teams the support they’ll need to continue providing a best-in-class on-track response throughout the season.” Founded in 1960, Stepp’s Towing Service began as a single tow truck operation and has grown to offer a multitude of services, including towing, heavy transport, environmental response and auto salvage. “We are extremely excited and proud to be an Official Partner and the designated Official Track Recovery Service Partner of NASCAR,” said Todd Stepp, president and CEO of Stepp’s Towing Service, Inc. “With over 60 years of experience providing top quality towing, heavy transport and recovery services in the state of Florida, we are fully committed and prepared to deliver that same level of service on a national basis across the NASCAR national series with a highly proficient, well-trained and dedicated team of towing professionals.” The 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season begins with the 64th running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 20 (FOX at 2:30 p.m. ET). https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2022/02/09/nascar-partners-with-stepps-towing-service-for-track-recovery-services/

LOGAN – Elden Dattage has been towing cars since 1965. At 76 years old he is still being called away from the dinner table or out of bed to crawl under a car, hook it up and yank it out of a ditch for a troubled driver. “Sunshine, snow, night or day we serve people,” Dattage said. “People wouldn’t call if they didn’t need us.” There has been more than one dinner left on the table and more than one restaurant with a meal left behind when a Dattage gets the call. Some jobs are slick and easy, then some are hard and take hours. The Providence native started rescuing troubled drivers some 57 years ago. “I was looking for a job. I just got out of the National Guard and saw a friend, Lloyd Leonhardt, out on the street and asked him if he knew of any jobs,” Dattage said, “He told me to go to Wilson Motor Company. They hired me. I didn’t go on a mission or to college, I just went to work reconditioning used cars.” A few years later, Dattage was asked to help in the body shop. As things works out, he became the manager of the body shop after his predecessor left. In 1983 car dealers were getting rid of their body shops and Wilson Motor followed the trend. “Clair (Wilson) told me they were going to discontinue the body shop,” he said. “Clair was a wonderful boss. He sold me the equipment and the tow trucks and I went out on my own.” Dattage found a new location and went to work towing cars and trucks then fixing all their scrapes and bends. The business has grown over the years. “Today, we have three medium size tow trucks in Cache Valley and we have three rotator wreckers, along with eight big rigs that can tow semi-trucks and trailers in our different lots,” he said. “Our Tremonton lot covers Box Elder County. We have one in Malad that covers Oneida County and I-84 to the Box Elder County line.” Dattage also has a Montpelier location that covers the Bear Lake area and can go into Wyoming. The rotator tow trucks have rotating booms that can pick up to 70 tons in a 360-degree span. The trucks are one of the biggest towing rigs on the road today. “We will go anywhere someone wants us to go as long as someone pays the bill,” he said after towing a semi-truck to St. George the day before. “My two sons Lance and Ryan are pretty much running things now, but I still show up and help with what I can.” They closed the body shop down two years ago. They just focus on the towing now. His boys enjoyed the towing more than the body work. “We will sometimes go out for what we think is a 10-minute job and we end up spending 10 and 12 hours,” he said. “July is generally our biggest month because there are more people traveling then and that leads to more breakdowns. January and February are the next busiest months.” With nearly six decades of picking up wrecked cars, Dattage has seen a few things he would like to forget. “Years ago, a trooper would show up with an ambulance or two and the wrecker would have had to pull the doors so they could get to the people,” Dattage said. “Nowadays, the paramedics get there and pull the people from the wreckage and take them to the hospital. I don’t miss doing that one bit.” Most people are glad to see a wrecker show up to get their car towed. There was a time when Dattage would be called to pick up impounded cars. It was difficult because the tow truck drivers took a lot of the heat. “I would tell them I had nothing to do with impounding your car,” he said. “The beef is between you and the police.” Dattage only impounds cars when asked by law enforcement. He won’t do it for private landowners anymore. “I’ve had a lot of enjoyable experiences over the years,” he said. “And I’ve met a lot of good people and formed some good personable relationships.” Dattage has people come up and act like they’re old friends because he towed their car once. Sometimes he has a hard time placing them because of the numbers of people he has helped over the years. “My wife won’t let me go shopping anymore because I talk to too many people and she just wants to shop,” he said. “I’ve met so many wonderful people and formed some longtime personal relationships.” Dattage said Cache Valley is a wonderful place to live and work. “Cache Valley is a wonderful place to live and have a business,” he said. “I am what I am because of the people who were great examples to me.” Resource Link

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. — A Buffalo man is facing several charges following a pursuit by police and a head-on collision with another vehicle. The New York State Police Thruway say they were contacted by US Customs that they were attempting to stop a wrong-way driver driving a Dodge vehicle that was traveling south on the northbound section on the I-190 from the Peace Bridge. Investigators say the vehicle, driven by Kody K. Damian-Salley, continued to flee police and attempted to exit onto the I-90 east and struck another vehicle head-on. Damian-Salley and the driver of the other vehicle, Samantha J. Kollatz, 34, were injured. Both were taken to ECMC with non-life threatening injuries. Damian-Salley is charged with Assault 2nd degree (recklessly cause serious injury with weapon or dangerous instrument), Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle 2nd degree (cause serious physical injury), and Reckless Driving; a Misdemeanor. He was given appearance tickets and released. His next scheduled court date is February 22, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. in Town of Cheektowaga Court. Following the accident, a relative of Kollatz went to Davron Towing to retrieve her personal property from her vehicle. The relative reported to police that a wallet, containing a significant amount of cash was missing. The wallet had an Apple Tag, which allowed investigators to locate the wallet at the personal residence of a Davron Towing truck driver. The tow truck driver, Andre D. Simmons, 49, of Cheektowaga was charged with Grand Larceny 4th degree (property greater that $1,000). He was processed and released with an appearance ticket. He is scheduled to return to Cheektowaga Town Court on February 18. Resource Link

Police: Man killed after being hit on Turnpike near PSL, then struck by three other cars that didn't stop PORT ST. LUCIE — A Miami Beach tow truck driver who was parked on the side of Florida's Turnpike early Sunday near Port St. Lucie was killed after he was struck by a car and then run over by three additional vehicles that fled the scene, police said. The crash happened about 12:06 a.m. Sunday at mile marker 149, near the Champion Turf Club at St. James, in the southbound lane of Florida's Turnpike, Florida Highway Patrol said. The tow truck driver, 57, had parked on the right-hand shoulder with his driver-side door open and was standing next to it. A 20-year-old Deerfield Beach woman driving a sedan heading south hit the car's open door and the truck driver, FHP said. The impact threw the tow truck driver into the southbound lanes. As he lay on the road, he was hit by three other vehicles, none of which stopped, troopers said. The sedan driver, who did remain at the scene, was not injured, nor was her passenger, a 22-year-old Deerfield Beach man. The tow truck driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Troopers closed the southbound turnpike after the crash. It reopened just before 8 a.m. Sunday. Resource Link Tow truck driver struck multiple times in deadly crash on Florida's Turnpike 3 other vehicles struck him and didn't stop ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — A tow truck driver was struck and killed on the side of Florida's Turnpike in St. Lucie County early Sunday. According to Florida Highway Patrol, the tow truck driver, a 57-year-old Miami man, was standing adjacent to the tow truck's driver's side door, which was open, in the southbound lane at 12:06 a.m. near mile marker 149 between Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce exits. A 20-year-old Deerfield Beach woman driving a sedan in the right lane struck the open truck door and the man in the right lane. The sedan came to a controlled stop in the southbound lanes. The man was struck by three other vehicles while laying in the southbound lanes. All three vehicles that struck the man continued traveling southbound on Florida's Turnpike without stopping. The man was pronounced deceased at the scene. The case is pending investigation. Resource Link

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A 3-year-old is in the hospital after Philadelphia police say they were shot while two tow truck drivers argued in Port Richmond. This all played out around 12:15 a.m. Sunday on Aramingo Avenue. According to police, two tow truck drivers got into an argument in the Jiffy Lube parking lot. One of those drivers went back to his truck, got a gun, and fired in the director of the other tow truck. The 3-year-old victim was inside and was struck in the leg. They are currently in stable condition. “Inside the truck was a 3-year-old child,” Captain John Walker said, adding, “Tow truck fled the scene, went to Episcopal Hospital, initially, and the [child] was transferred over to St Chris Hospital.” Authorities said the area is known for drag racing, which leads to tow truck drivers staying near the Jiffy Lube in waiting. Investigators are looking for surveillance video to locate the shooter. Resource Link

This Information posted by Hazle Twp. Fire & Rescue Company 141 Photos from the MVA’s this morning. First MVA was car into guide rail then another vehicle struck a tow truck with injuries.

Winter has been a whirlwind for tow truck companies in Saskatchewan. Tow operators have been pulling long hours this week rescuing vehicles stuck in snowbanks after Monday’s blizzard, but for some in the industry, the phones have been ringing non-stop even before the latest blast of wintery weather. Brad Stratychuk, the owner of Brad’s Towing in Saskatoon, has been in the industry for 39 years and he can’t recall a stretch of weather that has created this much demand for tow trucks. “We often just stay at the shop; the phone is relentless,” Stratychuk said, noting he and his wife haven’t had a break since Boxing Day. “When you’re in the helping people business, it’s incredibly disheartening not to get to people. For two weeks straight we probably turn away 100 calls a day that we just can’t get to.” While long stretches of cold, stormy weather has been driving calls for service, Stratychuk says it’s also exposing a bigger problem that has been plaguing the towing industry for a while. Stratychuk had extra trucks available during the blizzard on Monday but nobody to drive them. “Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to accept work after midnight, simply because there just isn’t enough people doing the job,” he said. “(We’re) always looking to hire, but the reality is when it gets that stormy you can have three, four times the amount of trucks and you still wouldn’t be able to keep up. “Sometimes all we can do is assist with good advice to keep them safe.” It’s not just the weather that is creating more pressure on the towing industry. Increased population, fewer workers and the availability of new vehicles is also increasing workloads, according to Stratychuk. Stratychuk, who also serves as president of the Roadside Responders Association of Saskatchewan (RRAS), said his competitors are having trouble coping as well. “It’s a provincial-wide problem,” he said. “We’re finding that the garages are fixing older vehicles more so than they did five years ago and there’s more folks around in the winter. A lot of the snowbirds are here. “We’re getting calls to see if we can head down to various other cities to help out. There’s people phoning 200, 300 kilometres away to move them 20 miles because there’s no one in their area either.” While Stratychuk knows this cycle will pass, without some rejuvenation there is a risk of burnout. The RRAS has been in ongoing talks with the provincial government about developing a strategy to promote the industry as a career. “We have international training courses,” Stratychuk said. “It’s a tough job. Not a lot of people like to stay in it as long as we have, but it’s a good way to contribute to society, help people and make a good living.” Resource Link

Source: Auto Connected Car News February 1, 2022 by Bryan Jonston HONK Technologies, the industry-leading digital roadside assistance and vehicle transport platform company, today released results from a nationwide survey of 582 towing and roadside providers. The survey indicates that tow providers are feeling the effects of motorists returning to the roadways as public health measures have loosened. More than 1 in 5 (22%) report having to turn down work, and the additional volume is driving almost half (46%) to consider buying new trucks and hiring additional employees. These moves indicate that tow providers are paying attention to signs of economic recovery and looking to get ahead of the long-awaited return to pre-pandemic motorist driving patterns. Starting in the summer of 2021, Americans returned to roads en masse, lockdown restrictions eased and schools and offices opened back up, causing driving miles and demand for roadside assistance to increase. While traditional motor clubs struggled to meet the demands of their clients as traffic returned to pre-pandemic levels, HONK Technologies has maintained key performance indicators, including high Net Promoter Scores (NPS) and low Estimated Time of Arrivals (ETAs) throughout the last year and a half. 46% of tow providers are hiring and intend to purchase additional trucks Tow providers want to grow their businesses. The survey found that 46% of tow providers are currently hiring, and the same percentage are intending to purchase additional tow trucks in 2022 because of the higher demand for their services. In 2021, HONK aggressively increased tow provider recruitment and expanded its portfolio of services to include vehicle transport tows for automotive retailers, growing revenue over 50% from pre-pandemic levels and anticipating double-digit growth again in 2022. 73% of tow providers prioritize their jobs, and the No. 1 criteria is location Tow providers want towing and roadside jobs that are closer to their available operators and trucks. Prioritizing jobs based on location enables providers to accommodate more customers per day and improve truck efficiencies, reducing overhead costs. Insurers are now opting to work with roadside assistance program providers who utilize location-based dispatching over traditional territory-based to take advantage of higher tow provider performance and 55% shorter wait times for their customers. “These findings show that tow providers are responding to the return of demand for roadside assistance so they can accommodate the additional volume,” said Matt Bijur, Chief Operating Officer at HONK. “And beyond hiring additional staff and purchasing new trucks, efficiency is a big part of scaling up. Tow providers prefer to take the closest jobs because that creates quicker ETAs, happier customers, more jobs per truck per day, and lower overhead costs.” Resource Link

CHICAGO - Police have issued a community alert after several tow truck drivers were robbed at gunpoint after meeting with people to purchase a vehicle on the South Side. In each incident, tow truck drivers arrive in South Side neighborhoods to buy a junk vehicle when two gunmen take their belongings at gunpoint, police said. Resource Link with video Updated 02.03.22 CHICAGO (CBS) — Armed robbers continue targeting tow truck drivers in the Washington Heights neighborhood. Police are warning of five cases — two of them happening on the same block of Lowe. The most recent heist took place Thursday night around 6:00 p.m. on Halsted. In each incident, the tow truck drivers respond to purchase a junk vehicle. Once they arrive, two people rob them at gunpoint. The suspects were seen driving an older model Volkswagen sedan, according to authorities. Police are reminding people to report suspicious activity immediately.

Memorial ride for tow truck driver to remind others to slow down and move over MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — Family and friends are remembering the life and legacy of Jonathan Neesmith. The 40-year-old tow truck driver was killed on I-65 responding to a call in Saraland in December. It’s a heartbreaking loss for his family. They describe him as a devoted and loving father of five. Today tow truck drivers and others gather at The Grounds in west Mobile for Jonathan Neesmith last Ride / Slow Down Move Over Awareness. Organizers say it’s a chance to not only honor Neesmith but to also remind drivers to be cautious when they see anyone pulled over on the interstate and move over. Resource LInk Inital Report Link