TowNews

Norristown police arrest Chester County man for carjacking in Upper Merion NORRISTOWN — A Chester County man is awaiting arraignment on multiple charges after he allegedly highjacked a car in Upper Merion, assaulted Norristown police officers, including a K9, and damaged several vehicles during a police chase through Norristown. Jacob E. Reck was arrested and charged with Robbery of a Motor Vehicle and related offenses after an incident that began in Upper Merion Tuesday night and ended in Norristown. Around 6:20 p.m., Upper Merion Police Department received multiple calls regarding a vehicle accident and disturbance on North Henderson Road at the intersection of Prince Frederick Street in the King of Prussia section of the township, according to police. At about the same time another call was received from the parking lot of the Midas Auto Repair, 172 East Dekalb Pike in King of Prussia. The subsequent investigation revealed that a man had assaulted the operator of a 1tow truck at the Midas and attempted to steal the truck. He ended up stealing a 2010 Ford Explorer that was being unloaded from the tow truck instead. The man then drove southbound on DeKalb Pike and then northbound on North Henderson Road. At the intersection of Prince Frederick Street traffic was stopped for a red light. The driver failed to stop in time and the car he was driving rear-ended the vehicles that were stopped and waiting for the light to turn green. He then veered off the road and hit a tree across from the Kinder Care at 211 North Henderson. One of the vehicles that was struck was a 2010 Toyota. The driver was delivering food for a pizza restaurant and pulled into the driveway of the Kinder Care to wait for the police. As he was waiting Reck allegedly approached him. then assaulted him before pulling him from the Toyota. He then drove off in the Toyota and from the scene toward DeKalb Pike. According to the report, a few moments later the Toyota crossed the Dannehower Bridge into Norristown. Several Norristown police officers quickly located the vehicle driving at a high rate of speed on Astor Street and noticed that it had fresh damage. The vehicle failed to stop for police and drove through a parking lot and onto the train tracks and then onto Elm Street. In the course of doing so, it struck two additional vehicles before coming to a stop. Reck allegedly jumped from the Toyota and attempted to steal a third vehicle before he was taken into custody by the Norristown police. While being taken into custody Reck allegedly assaulted several officers and the police K-9. Reck was transported to Paoli Hospital for minor injuries sustained during the vehicle accidents and his arrest. One Norristown police officer and the driver of the Toyota were also taken to the hospital for minor injuries. Resource Link

A 40-year-old man is expected to face criminal charges after police believe he pointed a gun at a tow truck driver repossessing a vehicle in Greeley. About 1:34 a.m. Sunday, police responded to a report of the man pointing the gun at the driver in the 1800 block of 10th Avenue. The driver of the vehicle that was being towed fled the scene as police arrived, according to police. The vehicle was later found unoccupied nearby. The tow truck driver, a 23-year-old man, was repossessing the vehicle when the suspect, identified by police as Rasean Ector, left the home and pointed the gun at the driver, according to police. Police later located Ector and developed probably cause to arrest him on suspicion of felony menacing. He was booked into the Weld County Jail on suspicion of menacing, criminal extortion and a warrant, according to online records maintained by the Weld County Sheriff’s Office. As of Tuesday evening, Ector has been released from the jail. The Weld District Attorney’s Office has a deadline of 3:30 p.m. Oct. 27 to file formal charges in this case. Resource Link

Tow truck driver killed while delivering tractor in Ontelaunee Twp. ONTELAUNEE TWP., Pa. – A tow truck driver was killed Tuesday night while delivering a tractor at Berman Freightliner on Ashley Way in Ontelaunee Township, Berks County. Police say 46-year-old Jose Tirado Zamot of Reading was dropping off the tractor part of a tractor-trailer at Berman. When he lowered the tow truck, the tractor reportedly started to roll on him. Sgt. Sean Showalter with Northern Berks Regional Police Department said there is no surveillance video in the area, so "we can only assume" how the incident happened. Showalter said it appeared that Zamot tried to run after the truck or put something under the wheel to stop it from rolling. However, the tractor must have caught his arm or glove and pulled him under, killing him, the sergeant said. Resource Link

Trucker falls asleep, crashes into tow truck, disabled motorhome on I-95 in South Carolina COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Emergency crews in Colleton County said a tow truck operator could have been killed when a tractor-trailer crashed into his truck and a disabled motorhome late Friday night on Interstate 95. The driver was called in from Ridgeland to remove a disabled motorhome from the breakdown lane near mile marker 45 just after 11:30 p.m. “The tow truck operator was preparing to hook up to the motorhome when a southbound tractor-trailer entered the breakdown lane, striking the motorhome and then the wrecker,” said officials with Colleton County Fire Rescue. A family of three, which included an infant, had just left the scene about 15 minutes before the crash. The motorhome overturned and was forced into the woods off the right shoulder. The tractor-trailer and the wrecker, which were badly damaged, were pushed into the wooded median. “When he realized the collision was imminent, the tow truck operator dove to the passenger side of the vehicle, a move that spared his life,” officials said. The driver’s side of the cab was crushed. The tow truck operator had multiple injuries, but they were not life-threatening. The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured. He told authorities that he had fallen asleep before the crash. Emergency crews said the interstate was littered with debris, which has blocked both southbound lanes. The motorhome was leaking propane and fuel, as well as the tractor-trailer that received breaches in the saddle tanks spilling diesel fuel on the highway and into the median. Officials said it took several hours to clean up the crash site. Southbound traffic was down to one lane for about five hours. The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. RESOURCE LINK

Law Says About Vehicles Left on the Side of the Road. You've seen them countless times. Cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs sitting off the shoulder of the highway, sometimes for days on end. Their existence usually forces other drivers to switch lanes in an effort to try and keep a safe distance because you don't know if someone's in there, and if they are, will they open the door as you get close? Or, it's hugging the thin, white line that separates the lane of traffic from the shoulder and you don't want to risk accidentally clipping its side-view mirror with yours. So, who's responsible for getting rid of them? That depends on which state you live in. My commute to and from work each day consists of hopping on Interstate 69 from Newburgh and riding it all the way into downtown Evansville where the station is located. For at least the last week, there has been an abandoned car sitting on the shoulder of the southbound lanes between the Green River Road and Highway 41 exits. Like most drivers, as I make my way into Evansville on the southbound lanes each morning, I flip on my turn signal and slide at least partly into the left lane just to be safe. Each day I wonder if it will still be there on my way, and so far, it has been. This isn't the first time I've seen this on I-69 or other highways in the area. My first thought is always, "Who walked away from this car and decided to just leave it there?" I realize car trouble always happens at the most inconvenient time, so my guess is that's how most of these stories start. What I don't fully understand is why they're left there for so long. Granted, I don't know everyone's story, so it's entirely possible they don't have the money to have it repaired, much less towed somewhere. Eventually, they all just disappear. But, it's not by magic. To my knowledge, there's no abandoned car fairy that flies in at night, sprinkles a little magic dust on it, and swishes it away under the cloak of night. An actual human being has to deal with it. Did the owner finally call a tow truck? Or, did they say to hell with it, and let it become someone else's problem? For argument's sake, let's say they chose the latter, and take a look at what happens in Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois (our part of the country, if you will). The officer is to also attempt to contact the owner and tell them the vehicle needs to be removed from wherever it's sitting which is easy to do if they leave the license plate on it. If it is not removed by the owner, the agency the officer represents will have the vehicle towed to a storage yard and the owner will be responsible for covering the cost along with any fines. I should note that while these are the state's codes, individual cities and counties do have the liberty to set their own rules when it comes to abandoned vehicles. Kentucky The Bluegrass state gives owners three days (72 hours) to remove the vehicle on their own. After that, like Indiana, they contact a towing company to have it removed and taken to a storage yard of the towing company's choice. Law enforcement officers also attempt to identify the owner. If they do that successfully, they send a letter to that person letting them know where their vehicle is and that they are responsible for any and all costs. The notification also says that if the owner does not reclaim their vehicle in 60 days, it will be sold and the state will get whatever money is leftover once any and all loans on the vehicle are paid off. Illinois Illinois gives owners anywhere from two to 24 hours to remove a vehicle before they take matters into their own hands. The amount of time depends on where the vehicle is. According to Illinois Code 625 ILCS 5, cars left on "a toll highway, interstate highway, or expressway," have only two hours to move it. Vehicles on "a highway in an urban district," get 10, while any vehicle left on a highway that isn't a toll highway, interstate highway, or an expressway has the full 24 hours to do something with it. With that said if an abandoned vehicle is, "a traffic hazard because of its position in relation to the highway or its physical appearance is causing the impeding of traffic," the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction can have it removed immediately. Like Indiana and Kentucky, regardless of the situation, if the law enforcement agency has to have it removed, the owner of the vehicle is responsible for any and all towing and storage costs. Hopefully, you don't ever find yourself in a situation where you have to leave your vehicle on the side of the road, but if you do, you'll want to make sure you get a plan to remove it yourself as quickly as possible. I imagine the fines and costs you'd be responsible for if the state has to remove it would be far more expensive. RESOURCE LINK Indiana According to Indiana Code 9-22-1-11, it is the responsibility of a law enforcement officer to tag a vehicle they have either spotted or been told is abandoned. "Tag" means the officer literally places a piece of paper in a visible area of the vehicle that includes the date, time, their name, the agency they represent, along with the address and telephone number to contact for information. The code states that if a vehicle is left "on or within the right-of-way of an interstate highway or any highway that is designated as part of the state highway system," like the one I've seen recently on Interstate 69, the vehicle is to be removed within 24 hours of the tagging. That jumps up to 72 hours if it's on private property. It's obviously been far longer than 24 since the car I see every day has been left behind, but I know law enforcement officers are busy and have to prioritize, and I imagine an abandoned car on the side of the road is a pretty low danger level threat. Read More: Abandoned Car Law in Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois | https://wkdq.com/in-ky-il-abandoned-car-laws/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral

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A tow truck procession will honor a hard working driver who worked in the industry for 18 years. 56 year old Michael Heffelfinger died on Saturday. Friends, co-workers from Hope's Towing, and peers will meet at 8:30am this Friday at the Jamesway Plaza in Tamaqua for a procession of tow trucks to his graveside service at the Odd Fellow's Cemetery. "The towing industry is a brotherhood. It can be vicious you know we're all competitors but at the end of the day we all do the same thing and we have to look out for each other and stand behind each other no matter what the circumstances because if we don't for each other no one else really will." Everyone with a tow truck or involved in the towing industry is invited. Heffelfinger also loved classic cars, so they are invited to join the tow trucks in the procession through Tamaqua as well. RESOURCE LINK

NORTH HIGHLANDS, Calif. — A grass fire that ignited early Wednesday morning spread to a tow yard in North Highlands, where more than two dozen cars caught fire, authorities say. The fire started around 2:30 a.m. in the area of North Avenue near Interstate 80 and Roseville Road, fire officials said. The way some of the salvaged cars in the yard are stored and stacked made fighting the fire a challenge. Vehicles had to be separated one by one so crews could make sure the fire was completely put out. "Once it hit the tow yard, we had multiple cars stacked on top of each other with very limited access. So we had a real hard time getting (hand lines) in," said Brett Steppig with the Sacramento Fire Department. "Once we did get the hand lines in there we were able to put the fire out." It's not yet clear how the fire started. Resource Link

COLUMBUS – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, AAA, the Ohio Turnpike, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and The Risk Institute are recognizing Move-Over Day, Saturday, Oct. 16, by reminding Ohio drivers to move over and slow down for any vehicle with flashing lights parked on the roadside. This effort is part of a larger multi-agency campaign that includes social media messaging every Monday with the hashtags #MoveOverMonday and #MoveOverOhio. Crash Data: According to a new crash analysis from ODOT, 546 crashes have occurred so far in 2021 when drivers failed to move over or slow down for a stationary vehicle with flashing lights. This has caused 21 deaths and 59 serious injuries. Between 2015 and 2020 a total of 5,561 move over-related crashes occurred in Ohio. “It’s alarming to see the rise of crashes happening throughout our state,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “It’s critically important that all drivers remember to avoid distractions, pay attention, and stay focused on the road.” The death of a AAA tow provider, Glenn Ewing, 32, highlights how dangerous it is for individuals who work regularly along the shoulders of Ohio’s roads. Ewing was killed while placing a disabled vehicle on the back of a flatbed near Cincinnati on July 4, 2021. “The men and women who work on our roads have a simple request for drivers: ‘Help us get home safe at the end of the day.’ Moving over and slowing down allows them to do that,” said ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks. Lack of Understanding Among Drivers: A survey conducted by The Ohio State University found gaps in Ohioans’ knowledge of the state’s Move Over law, especially when it comes to construction crews and tow trucks. “Survey data shows that many Ohioans still don’t move over for tow truck operators, construction vehicles or disabled vehicles,” said Executive Director Ferzan M. Ahmed, P.E., Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission. “Since 2015, two tow truck operators have been killed on the Ohio Turnpike. Their families will have to bear the loss of their loved ones for the rest of their lives. People have the responsibility to obey the law in order to keep all roadside workers and motorists safe from injury and death.” All 50 states and the District of Columbia have a Move Over law to protect individuals on the roadside. Ohio’s law requires all drivers to move over and slow down for any vehicle parked on the side of the road with flashing lights, no matter the color of the lights or the number of lanes. Startling new data from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety finds: Nearly a quarter (23%) of drivers are unaware of their state’s Move Over law. In addition, 42% of drivers who do not comply with Move Over laws at all times said they thought their behavior was somewhat or not dangerous at all to roadside emergency workers. “The recent AAA Foundation data demonstrates that drivers may not realize how risky it is for those working or stranded along highways and roads close to moving traffic,” said Kimberly Schwind with the Ohio Conference of AAA Clubs. Enforcement and Education are Key: Those who do not comply with Ohio’s Move Over Law are subject to charges and fines. The law is strictly enforced. In fact, in 2020, the Ohio State Highway Patrol issued 7,829 citations for those failing to move over or slow down. So far this year, there have been 3,576 citations issued. “Moving over or slowing down for stationary vehicles with flashing lights isn’t just the law; it’s the right thing to do,” said Colonel Richard S. Fambro of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. “By motorists making this a standard practice, we can make Ohio safer for everyone working along our roadways.” Law enforcement is not immune to the consequences of not moving over. On Sept. 4, 2021 a vehicle struck Sergeant Fernando Chavez’ Ohio State Highway Patrol car while he was completing a traffic stop on the shoulder of U.S. Route 24 in Defiance County. Sergeant Chavez sustained non-life-threatening injuries, but the passenger in the vehicle that struck him died, and the driver sustained life-threatening injuries. "The Risk Institute stands with other organizations in support of efforts in Ohio and nationally to raise awareness to Move Over Laws and creating a one lane buffer for all emergency response and service vehicles stopped on our highways,” said Phil Renaud, executive director of The Risk Institute. “Please protect our Public Safety and Emergency Response workers." RESOURCE LINK

Monett man dies in tow truck crash A Monett man died in a single-vehicle accident at 5:51 p.m. Thursday on Route C, about 5 miles east of Goodman in McDonald County, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Brandon E. Wellbaum, 48, was driving an eastbound tow truck that was hauling a car when the truck ran off the road and overturned, the state patrol said. A McDonald County deputy coroner pronounced Wellbaum dead at the scene. • A Cassville man was injured in a two-vehicle accident at 10:45 p.m. Thursday on Missouri Highway 248, about 3 miles west of Jenkins in Barry County, the state patrol said. Mark A Goade, 56, was taken to Mercy Hospital Cassville with minor injuries. Goade was driving an eastbound vehicle that collided with a southbound vehicle driven by Thaddaeus E. Harris, 24, of Cassville, when Harris pulled into the path of Goade's vehicle, the patrol said. • A Neosho man was injured in a single-vehicle accident at 2:55 p.m. Thursday on Howard Bush Drive in Neosho, the state patrol said. Truman D. Roponei, 45, was taken by ambulance to Mercy Hospital Joplin with moderate injuries. Roponei was driving a southbound car that ran off the road and overturned as he was attempting a right turn, the patrol said. Resource Link - https://www.joplinglobe.com/news/crime_and_courts/monett-man-dies-in-tow-truck-crash/article_ce3eb824-2882-11ec-967f-0f08df4774a7.html

Tow truck driver killed in crash while hauling a vehicle in McDonald County, Mo. The driver, of Monett, Missouri, owned and operated Autorama. McDONALD COUNTY, Mo. — Missouri State Highway Patrol release information regarding a fatal tow truck crash. The crash was located along Route C, east of Goodman and occurred Thursday evening, October 7, just before 6 p.m. Brandon Wellbaum, 48, of Monett, was driving a 2000 GMC C6500 tow truck hauling a 2003 Honda Element. He was traveling east, approaching McNatt at Elkhorn Creek. “Crash occurred as [tow truck] traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned.” — Cpl. C.C. Clark, Troop D INITIAL REPORT FROM MSHP. Wellbaum was pronounced at the scene by McDonald County Deputy Coroner Ashley Howard. He was wearing his seat belt. The crashed vehicles were removed by Metro Towing. Wellbaum owned and operated Autorama, near Monett. Read more in his life story here. RESOURCE LINK

A 59-year-old Mexico man died after the car he was a passenger in struck a tow truck on Main Street Friday night. The 77-year-old driver, also of Mexico, was southbound when he struck the back of a flatbed tow truck, Norway Patrolman John Lewis told the Lewiston Sun Journal. The back of the truck was partially in the travel lane while it was being worked on in a driveway. The passenger died at the scene while the driver had minor injuries, Lewis said. The 25-year-old tow truck driver, of Norway was not injured. The names of those involved have not been released. RESOURCE LINK

It could soon become a little more pricy to leave vehicles parked in private lots beyond what you paid for. Winnipeg’s public service is recommending an increase in allowable tow fees, saying the current fees are outdated and independent tow truck drivers are losing incentive to offer their services. There are also proposed increases for the use of flatbeds, dollies, and winches, and the amount that can be charged for storing a vehicle in impound. Notable changes include: Allowing fees up to $71.20 for removing vehicles from private property. Up from $59.00 Allowing fees up to $159.20 for removing vehicles weighing greater than 4,540 kg from private property. Up from $132.00 Allowing fees up to $14.50 for each 24-hour storage period. Up from $12.00 Allowing fees up to $32.60 for each 24-hour storage period for vehicles weighing greater than 4,540 kg. Up from $12.00. Allowing a charge of $29.50 for the use of flatbeds, dollies and winches. Up from $25.80. The authors of the report say they arrived at the new figures after investigating what other local providers were charging for on-demand service (such as roadside breakdowns), and in consultation with tow companies. They add the fees were last updated in 2008. The report points out the city does not stand to benefit financially from the fee increases, since poundkeepers charge the vehicle owners directly. The motion will appear before the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works on Tuesday, before heading to Executive Policy Committee and finally full Council. RESOURCE LINK

A 69-year-old Moreno Valley man died Monday morning, Oct. 11, after he was struck by a tow truck while crossing Box Springs Road, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said. At about 7:22 a.m., Primitivo Martinez was crossing Box Springs, east of Clark Street, when a tow truck was turning left onto eastbound Box Springs and struck Martinez, the Sheriff’s Department said. Paramedics transported Martinez to a hospital, where he died, the Sheriff’s Department said. Intoxication did not appear to factor into the crash, authorities said. The tow truck driver’s vision was “reported to have been obstructed by sunlight,” the Sheriff’s Department said. The crash happened at an intersection without marked crosswalks, authorities said. RESOURCE LINK

One day last month, Chris Peterson was feeling fine. Then, a tingling started in his toes. The next day, it spread to his foot. Then, his hand. Peterson didn't think much of it at first. Then, he decided to visit Kootenai Health for a check-up. With an elevated heart rate and blood pressure, he was given medication to help him relax. If it got worse, come back, he was told. It got worse. “Within 24 hours I was back and I couldn’t walk,” he said. The Rathdrum man went from working at Reliable Towing as fleet manager to being bedridden, with no real muscle function or strength. His lower extremities — hip, legs and feet, were numb. He was admitted to the hospital as doctors tried to diagnose his condition. They did. He had Guillain-Barré syndrome, described as “a rare neurological disorder in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks part of its peripheral nervous system." “GBS can range from a very mild case with brief weakness to nearly devastating paralysis, leaving the person unable to breathe independently,” according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. It sidelined the normally healthy and perpetually happy Peterson. “Being so active with my job and family to basically just being bedridden was tough,” he said. He spent a week at KH. For about two weeks, he had to use a wheelchair. He went to the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Northwest in Post Falls for five weeks. He spent hours each day on speech, occupational and physical therapy as he fought to regain control of his body. It's working. Today, the husband and father can use a walker. He is stronger. He is confident and hopeful. “I was fortunate enough they caught it early to be proactive,” he said. A fundraiser to help Peterson is set for 1 to 4 p.m. today at Curley's Hauser Junction, 26433 W Highway 53, Post Falls. Reliable Towing is organizing the event that includes a silent auction, gift baskets, entertainment and a 50/50 raffle. “He’s in charge of keeping all our trucks running and on the road,” said Chris Wunder, Reliable Towing operations manager. Wunder said Reliable Towing wants to do what it can for Peterson, who has worked for them for about a year. “We’re all a big family here,” Wunder said. A GoFundMe campaign has raised $5,130, already over its goal of $5,000. Peterson questions if his condition was a side effect of the vaccine he received for COVID-19. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Rare serious adverse events have been reported after COVID-19 vaccination, including Guillain-Barré syndrome.” “It’s been pretty scary,” Peterson said. “The first couple weeks were rough because we didn’t have a whole lot of answers.” But he’s glad to be moving again with feeling returning to his legs. That pins-and-needles sensation is gradually going away as his nerves regenerate, though he still gets it at times. Meanwhile, he’s committed to his rehab and uses his walker to get around outside his home. “Hopefully I won’t need it too much longer,” he said. But his legs, he adds, are far from 100% again. “I still kind of stumble here and there,” Peterson said. Daughter Avery is “super happy” to have dad back home, as is wife Rayla. Their support sustains him, and friends and family have been big boosters, too, sending messages and prayers. "It's heartwarming to know so many people were rooting for us and rooting for me," he said. Peterson said he's seeing "a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel.” He hopes to be standing on his own soon and return to work, as soon as possible. He's ready to push through the challenges that he knows are still ahead. “I’m definitely on the road to recovery. It’s still a tough one. Each day is kind of its own day. I don’t know exactly how long the road is going to be.” But he knows this: He loves being home again. “Everything is just that much better waking up in the morning,” he said RESOURCE LINK

FHP continues search for witnesses of fatal hit-and-run crash near Dunnellon State authorities sounded another call for witnesses to come forth and assist with investigations into a deadly hit-and-run crash outside of Dunnellon. Florida Highway Patrol is also asking for help from a tow truck driver who likely saw the 9:20 p.m. collision from April 25 near West Dunnellon Road’s intersection with North Springvale Terrace. Witnesses can call FHP at 813-558-1800. Tipsters can also remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward by contacting Citrus County Crime Stoppers at 888-269-8477. According to FHP, which didn’t release the identities of those involved, a 29-year-old Crystal River man was lying perpendicular on West Dunnellon Road (County Road 488), when a 35-year-old Morriston, Levy County man driving an eastbound pickup truck struck him. A second vehicle, a sedan, driving behind the truck also struck the man but didn’t stop afterward. Emergency responders pronounced the pedestrian dead at the crash scene. Neither the truck’s driver or his three Morriston passengers, including 4- and 6-year-old children, were injured, according to FHP. RESOURCE LINK

CREWE, Va. (WRIC) — The 8News Taking Action team spoke with Watts’ Towing in Crewe back in April as they faced difficulties reaching a settlement with Walmart after one of their truck drivers crashed into the business. Now the towing business finally has some closure. The Walmart truck ruined an entire fleet of tow trucks, the thing the towing company needs to survive. Ray Watts told 8News that the damages were estimated to be at least $700,000. In April 8 months after the crash had occurred, Watts’ Towing told 8News that the business had not received any money from Walmart and communications from the company had been limited. Now a year after the crash happened, the towing company and Walmart have reached a settlement. While the exact details are not publicly available, the attorney for Watts’ Towing assured 8News that “it was an arrangement they were comfortable with” and the business could now restore the tow truck fleet. RESOURCE LINK

Multiple Sources including Connecticut State Police: Connecticut State Police have identified a good Samaritan who they said rescued a man from a burning vehicle in Stamford earlier this month. Troopers posted to social media a photo of the man, whom they said was a tow truck driver. In less than 24 hours, state police announced they had identified the man and thanked the public for their assistance. Late Tuesday night, they said they were able to identify him. However, he wished to remain anonymous. They said he rescued the driver on Sept. 4 around 5:25 a.m. The burning vehicle was on Interstate 95 at exit 9. While we understand admirable desire to remain anonymous as true hero's often do. One must wonder if he be willing to be recognized and accept the industries Hero Award.

Search underway for tow truck driver in Madison hit-and-run crash RESOURCE LINK

State police looking to identify tow truck driver who saved a man from a burning car on I-95 in Stamford STAMFORD, Conn. (WTNH) – Connecticut State Police are looking to identify a man who they say saved a person’s life after removing them from a burning car. Police said on August 4 around 5:30 a.m., a car caught on fire on I-95 near exit 9 in Stamford. The unknown man removed a man from a burning car and saved his life. State Police said the unknown man is a tow truck driver for an unknown company. If you know who this man is, you’re being asked to contact Sgt. Gray at roman.gray@ct.gov or Troop G at 203-696-2500. Follow Link below for image. RESOURCE LINK

Man convicted of killing tow truck driver over $300 fee Paul Dakan, 36, died after he was shot in the head at a Denver impound lot in 2019. DENVER — A Denver jury on Friday convicted a man of first-degree murder for killing a man to avoid paying a $300 fee after his car was impounded, the Denver District Attorney's office announced. The verdict came down late Friday after about eight hours of deliberations and also included a guilty verdict on an additional charge of second-degree murder against Victor Arenas-Foote. Paul Dakan, 36, was killed in the morning hours of Dec. 15, 2019, while working in the impound lot of Elite Towing and Recovery near East 48th Avenue and Washington Street. Arenas-Foote was accused of shooting Dakan in the head and leaving with his car that had been impounded. Dakan was taken to the hospital but ultimately died from his injuries that same day. About 20 minutes after the shooting, deputies in Adams County located Arenas-Foote's vehicle near Northglenn Drive and Grant Street. They also recovered a .38 caliber semi-automatic handgun. Arenas-Foote is set to be sentenced on Nov. 12. RESOURCE LINK

Tow Truck Driver Shot And Killed In Washington Park CHICAGO (CBS) — A tow truck driver was shot and killed in Washington Park Sunday morning, police said. The driver, a 27-year-old man, was attempting to provide service at about 3:51 a.m. in the 100 block of West 57th Street when an unidentified person shot him multiple times. The victim was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Nobody is in custody as Area One detectives investigate. https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2021/09/19/tow-truck-driver-shot-and-killed-in-washington-park/ News Reports Stated: Eight people shot dead and 43 others wounded in Chicago over the weekend Updated: 9 killed, 52 others wounded in weekend shootings citywide