TowNews

KITCHENER -- A woman was allegedly sexually assaulted by a tow truck driver who was transporting her vehicle back into Waterloo Region, according to police. In a release, police said a woman called for a tow truck from Highway 401 around 6 p.m. on July 14. While driving the vehicle back to the region, police said the man allegedly stopped at his home and sexually assaulted the woman, who was able to leave the home and call police The 33-year-old Kitchener man was arrested and charged with sexual assault. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers. RESOURCE LINK

Randolph Raceway honors life of tow truck driver at benefit race MOBERLY - The Randolph Raceway held a benefit race Sunday to honor the life of Ryan Brewer, a tow truck driver who lost his life while hooking up a vehicle on I-70 in March. Brewer left behind his wife and 2-year-old daughter. A friend set up a GoFundMe for the family in the Spring with a goal of $10,000, which they reached. Sunday's benefit honored Brewer by doing what he loved to watch, racing. "It's nice to come out here and support all that and raise some money for their family," race car driver Trevor Gundaker said. 24 companies sponsored the 24 drivers. Drivers competed to win a $10,000 total prize. "It's always good, like about the racing community, we're always reaching out to help each other and we're all family, whenever we get the chance to help each other we will," Gundaker said. Brewer's company, Approved Towing, also attended the event and hoisted up the American flag on the trucks for the events. Part of the proceeds from the ticket sales will go to benefit Brewer's family. RESOURCE LINK

Tow truck procession honors driver murdered on the job Patrick Sanford was shot and killed one month ago while moving vehicles at a Hillsboro apartment complex; he left behind a wife and son. HILLSBORO, Oregon — Dozens of tow truck drivers gathered in the parking lot of the Regal Evergreen Parkway cinemas in Hillsboro Saturday morning for the Enough is Enough tow truck procession. Drivers were there to remember fallen tow truck driver Patrick Sanford. One month ago, the 51-year-old Sanford was shot and killed while on a towing job at the Park Creek Village Apartments in Hillsboro. “It was a senseless way to go. That gentleman was just doing his job. Just doing his job,” said Jean Underwood of Beaverton Towing. Sanford was moving vehicles from the apartment complex parking lot for a maintenance project lot. He was confronted by a resident and shot and killed. 42-year-old Mathew McAdoo has been charged with second degree murder. “I think today is amazing. It’s a wonderful statement about Patrick and the horrible thing that happed to Patrick,” said Sanford’s sister Erin Fitzgerald as the procession started. Sanford leaves behind a wife and teenage son. Fitzgerald has started a GoFundMe page to help the family. The procession made its way from the Regal Cinema in Hillsboro to Highway 26. The trucks traveled to the Sylvan exit, then back to Hillsboro. Trucks had their flashing lights on the entire time. Tow truck drivers are first responders, one driver told KGW. Their hope is that people they encounter on the job show more patience and kindness, even when the reason for the tow is disputed. RESOURCE LINK

2 killed in fiery crash on I-70 near Goodfellow ST. LOUIS (KMOV.com) – Two men were killed after their car caught on fire during an crash on Interstate 70 in north St. Louis Sunday. Around 4:15 a.m., a car was heading westbound near Goodfellow when it hit a tow truck that was on the side of the highway. The impact caused the car to spin around and crash into third vehicle, which then overturned. Officials said both cars were engulfed with flames when they arrived. Two men were rescued from one of the burning cars and taken to a hospital where they later died. The driver of the overturned car was picked up by an unknown car and left the scene. The highway was closed for five hours. All lanes reopened before 10 a.m. No additional information has been released. RESOURCE LINK with video

Service For James Creel: Visitation: Sunday 5:30-Until Funeral: Monday 2pm (visitation 2 hours before that) Wolf Funeral Lake, MS There will be a wrecker procession to graveside. Address to Funeral Home: Wolf Funeral Services 136 Front Street Lake, MS 39092 Address to Graveside Service: Ephesus Baptist Church Cemetery 3535 Ephesus Rd Forest, MS 39074

Driver Suffers Life Threatening Injuries Following Crash on I-64 HAMPTON — Virginia State Police (VSP) has reported that a driver has suffered life threatening injuries as a result of a vehicle crash on Interstate 64 (I-64) on Saturday, July 17. At approximately 4:04 a.m., VSP responded to a two vehicle crash on I-64 at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT). A preliminary investigation showed that Wilson Christopher Lee was driving a 2009 Mercedes and was traveling I-64 eastbound on the east side of the HRBT’s south island. He fell asleep at the wheel and struck a Dodge 5500 tow truck that was stopped just inside the tunnel’s work zone. VSP states that the tow truck was fully illuminated at the time of the crash. The tow truck was pushed 391 feet after being impacted by Lee’s vehicle. The driver of the tow truck was not in the vehicle at time and was picking up debris. Lee was taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and suffered life threatening injuries. VSP states that he was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash and it has also determined that alcohol was not a contributing factor. Lee has been charged with reckless driving. RESOURCE LINK

OHP: Man Killed After Being Hit By Car On Turner Turnpike CREEK COUNTY, Oklahoma - The Oklahoma Highway Patrol has identified a man who was killed after being hit by a car on the Turner Turnpike near Kellyville late Friday night. According to OHP, 44-year old Donovan Knippenburg was hit by a car eastbound on the Turner Turnpike around 11:07 p.m. on Friday and pronounced dead on the scene by first responders. It is currently unclear what lead to the accident. RESOURCE LINK Oklahoma Wrecker Owners Association released this statement 07.17.21 These posts are the hardest. Oklahoma Towers have lost a Tow Operator. Below is a message we received this morning from AWOW Towing in Tulsa, OK: Just wanted to let you know we lost a driver early this morning. He was hit and killed on I-44. We were gonna give him a last right but see if you let the people know. I will update with funeral arrangements. He was with AWOW Towing and St Micheals. Please pray for his family. We will post funeral arrangements and more info as we receive it. Rest In Peace Donovan Knippenburg Todd Leiss Posted: Tow Truck Operator Donovan Knippenburg, of A Wow Towing, Oklahoma becomes United States Emergency Responder Struck-By Death #31 of 2021. 31 Emergency Responders struck & killed in the first 198 days of 2021 12 - Tow Truck Operators 16 - Law Enforcement Officers 2 - Fire/EMS 1 - Safety Service Patrol Operators SLOW DOWN AND MOVE OVER for Emergency Responders. National Struck-By Heroes PennTIME - Pennsylvania Statewide Traffic Incident Management Group Move Over Pennsylvania SPERRY, Oklahoma - Friends and coworkers are heartbroken after a tow truck driver was hit and killed while working on the side of the Turner Turnpike. They say Donovan Knippenburg was an incredible man, and they wish people understood the dangers of the job. Valarie Hinshaw says it's hard to put into words what Donovan Knippenburg meant to her, but she will make sure he is remembered. Knippenburg worked for Valarie Hinshaw at A-WOW Recovery and Towing for almost seven years. "He'd do anything for anybody, give the shirt off his back," she said. Oklahoma Highway Patrol says Donovan was hit and killed late Friday night on the Turner Turnpike near Kellyville. Valarie says he was out of his truck and working to move a car off the turnpike when he was hit. "When our lights are on, we're there to get the vehicle out of the way, and to open the roadway, so we are considered first responders," Hinshaw said. She says her team is heartbroken Donovan is gone, and he's going to be missed. Valarie says he was a one-of-a-kind personality, who was always making people laugh. She says wreckers risk their lives every time they respond to a call. "When you lose someone close on our team, it really hits home, and it makes me think and I see people on the roadway, and I want to tell them, whoa move over, even if I'm just passing another wrecker, I'm moving over," she said. She says she feels hopeless when she sees people who break the law by not moving over when a wrecker is on the side of the road. She wants people to realize how much Donovan's loss has hurt them and his family. "No one will ever understand the importance of moving over I guess until it hits them personally," she said. Oklahoma Highway Patrol says the cause of the crash is under investigation. RESOURCE LINK with video Family Hopes For Answers 3 Months After Father Killed While Towing Truck On Turnpike The family of a tow truck driver who was hit and killed while working on the Creek Turnpike in July said they are still in shock. Hailey and Cale Knippenburg say their dad, Donovan Knippenburg, was a man who was always there when you needed him, especially to crack a joke or to make you smile. "He would do anything to make someone laugh, even if it was something stupid, he always wanted to make people laugh," Hailey said. Oklahoma Highway Patrol said Donovan was hit and killed on July 16th when he was loading a car on the Creek Turnpike near Kellyville. "We've already been through, I mean it's only been three months and we've already been through a lot of stuff that he should have been there for, there's so many things I should have called him for and he's not there," Hailey said. Hailey said she wishes more people would move over when you see someone working on the side of the road, no matter who it is. "You know you pull over for an officer because you're scared they'll pull you over if you don't, but it's still important,” Hailey said. “It's a valued life no matter what.” Hailey said the last three months have been hard, and they are waiting and hoping for answers on what exactly happened, especially as her dad's birthday is less than a month away. "I think it's hard going into his birthday knowing there's not going to be any answers or closure anytime soon," she said. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. RESOURCE LINK with video

Fatal accident prompts concerns for more safety measures near railroad track JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Cleanup efforts were underway in Byram on Friday. Workers spent hours removing debris from a fatal accident scene that claimed the lives of James Creel from Meridian, and Scott Hartsock, from Florida. The 18 wheeler tow truck the men were in was struck by an Amtrak train carrying more than 100 passengers on Thursday. The incident happened around 5:30 P.M. on the railroad track located off Old Byram Road near the entrance into the Jackson Motor Speedway. “As they came around the curve that has the natural overgrowth here, they came right up on the tracks just like that,” said Joel Falk, who’s working with Monster Trukz during its four shows this weekend. “We don’t know if his foot popped off the clutch or exactly what happened, but he may have been paying attention to the difficult curve or to the hill you see those trucks going over. Just like this truck is pulling up, the train, they said, was going about 80 miles an hour and hit them right in the side.” Falk was friends with Hartsock, whom he said is a well-known Monster Truck driver with more than two decades of experience. “He was coming here with his famous monster truck GunSlinger, and he was going to drive in all of the four shows that are going to be here this weekend,” said Falk. Our camera was rolling as two trains came rolling through the tracks. On that portion of the tracks, there aren’t any safety measures in place to alert drivers when a train is coming, only the loud horn from the locomotive. Currently, there are only signs warning drivers of the track. Byram city leaders said they’re not in charge of adding additional safety measures to that location. “That would not be our responsibility,” said Mayor Richard White. “That’s private property.” That particular property is private, and city leaders said the landowner is responsible for making the area more visible and safer for drivers. “They would have to work with Canadian National Railroad to implement greater safety measures such as the flashing lights and folded down crossbars,” said Chief David Herrington, Byram Police Department. Monster Truckz said they are going to do tributes for Hartsock during its four shows this weekend. Passengers who were on board when the accident happened were taken to the Amtrak station in Jackson Thursday night. A train was scheduled to pick them up from there Friday evening to continue their route. RESOURCE LINK

‘Insane driver, team player, joyous friend’: Monster Truckz remembers driver killed in Amtrak crash SARASOTA, Florida. (WLBT) - We are learning more about one of the men who died in Thursday’s train wreck near Jackson, Mississippi. Hinds County Coroner Sharon Grisham-Stewart says Scott Hartsock of Florida died Thursday afternoon. The train, headed from New Orleans to Memphis, hit a vehicle that was on the tracks around 5:30 p.m. Hartsock was a Monster Truckz giant, according to his fellow drivers. “It is with extreme heartfelt sadness that one of our drivers, Scott Hartsock, has passed away unexpectedly,” the statement read. “He was an exceptional beacon of incredible positivity, laughter, and invaluable knowledge - always willing to assist others, give advice, and share in both the struggles and successes of those around him.” Monster Trucks said Hartsock was an exceptional asset with a creative mind, adding that his “forward approaches and understanding contributed to a multitude of solutions and insurmountable indebtedness from the Monster Truckz Family.” The statement continued, “We are honored to know Scott, share in his adventures, and will continuously cherish the time we have all spent with him. He will forever be remembered as an insane driver, knowledgeable team player, and joyous friend. Our warm regards go out to his wife Kathy and children.” Monster Truckz asked the public to respect the privacy of Hartsock’s family. Byram Police Chief David Errington says the railroad crossing where Hartsock was killed does not warn drivers of oncoming traffic. It has no crossing arms or flashing lights, police say. A full investigation continues into exactly what happened at that railroad intersection and who’s at fault. Meanwhile, Monster Truckz says the incident happened extremely fast. “While crossing the tracks around 5:30 p.m. in a tow truck, Scott Hartsock and driver of said truck were hit by an oncoming train. The track provided no lights or other deterrents/early warnings. The incident began and ended in under five seconds. The tow truck was pulling Scott’s rig across the tracks due to the high grade of the area, and even with people present, there was an extremely limited time to act (under 5 seconds),” the statement read. Monster Truckz calls this an unexpected loss of a genuinely great and charismatic person. When asked about his favorite part of competing in Monster Jam, the website says Hartsocks said, “Being a part of something I truly have a passion for; meeting so many people that have the same dream I had, but I actually got the chance to live it.” Monster Truckz says they plan to forever keep Hartsock’s legacy alive by honoring him at upcoming shows. RESOURCE LINK

Colorado’s Move Over Law recently was modified to define what “slow down” means in relation to specific speed limits. The law requires drivers to move over or slow down when approaching an emergency vehicle (police, fire and ambulance), a tow truck or a highway maintenance vehicle when their red, yellow or blue emergency lights are activated, a press release stated. The “move over” portion of the law requires drivers to move one lane away from the specified vehicle when a lane is available. If there is no lane available, drivers are required to slow down to a safe speed. Specifically, if the roadway has a speed limit of 45 mph or more, “slow down” means to reduce speeds to 20 mph under the speed limit. If the roadway has a speed limit of 40 mph or less, “slow down” means traffic may go no faster than 25 mph. Every state currently has move-over laws, which were created to protect first responders, tow truck operators and highway maintenance personnel after a nationwide trend of increased incidents in which emergency personnel were struck by passing traffic. In Colorado, the total fine for violating the Move Over Law is $169.50. To see the law in its entirety, read Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-705. RESOURCE LINK

SkyFOX video: Crash causes backup on I-10 in west Phoenix

3 Seriously Injured In Crash On Interstate 10 In Phoenix Three people were seriously injured in a crash that occurred on eastbound Interstate 10 at 67th Avenue in Phoenix Thursday morning. PHOENIX, AZ — Three people were seriously injured in a crash that occurred on eastbound Interstate 10 at 67th Avenue in Phoenix Thursday morning, the Phoenix Fire Department said. An adult female had to be extricated from her Chevrolet sedan and taken to a local trauma center in critical condition; while an adult man and woman were transported to a nearby hospital in serious condition, the department said. The cause of the crash, which occurred around 8 a.m., is under investigation, according to the department. Six vehicles were involved in the crash, including a tow truck and a semi tractor-trailer, the Arizona Department of Public Safety said. Interstate 10 is open in both directions, though traffic is considerable, DPS Media Relations Specialist Bart Graves told Patch. RESOURCE LINK

Tow truck drivers often come to the rescue, but this driver became an unintentional hero! The driver of a white sedan hit an official California Highway Patrol vehicle, barely missing the officer. For 40 minutes, this car and driver were chased by LAPD. A tow truck driver coming out of a parking lot became just the blockade needed to stop this 70 mile per hour chase. LAPD expressed their thanks to the tow truck driver, but he says he’s just glad no one got seriously hurt.

GARLAND, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) – A man has been arrested after he allegedly shot a tow truck driver who was transporting a stolen vehicle near Interstate-30 in Garland Thursday morning, police said. Garland police said they responded to the 4900 block of Freeport Drive at around 9 a.m. in regards to a stolen vehicle out of Dallas that was parked in a neighborhood. The tow truck driver picked up the vehicle and began taking it to a pound for investigation. Police said while the tow truck driver was going to the pound, a white Mercedes SUV pulled up next to the driver and began shooting near the I-30 service road and Peninsula Way. Police said the tow truck driver was shot in the leg. He was able to escape from the SUV and met with Rowlett officers before being transported to a hospital for treatment, according to police. Garland officers were able to locate the SUV on Freeport Drive and made contact with the alleged gunman, 40-year-old Carl Lee Robinson, police said. RESOURCE LINK with video

Serious crash shuts down northbound I-75 in Northern Kentucky for hours WALTON, Ky. — Northbound lanes of Interstate 75 are closed near Walton, Kentucky, following a serious crash. It happened shortly after midnight, just south of the Interstate 71/75 split. Officials say a semitruck and tow truck hauling a work truck collided, causing a more than six-hour traffic jam in the area. There has been no word on the drivers’ conditions, or the circumstances that led up to the crash. Traffic in the area is at a standstill. Your best bet is to use Dixie Highway if you are south of Walton, and plan to head northbound this morning. RESOURCE LINK with video Police ID passenger killed in NB I-71/75 crash WALTON, Ky. (WXIX) - One person is dead, and a tow truck driver is hospitalized in a crash that shut down northbound Interstate 71/75 for more than seven hours overnight, according to the Boone County Sheriff’s Office. A tow truck and a semi tractor-trailer were involved in the collision near Walton about 11:30 p.m. Thursday. Trace Patrick of Dry Ridge was operating a 2020 Freightliner Flatbed tow truck when his truck struck the back of the tractor-trailer operated by Larry Hill of Dayton, Ohio, sheriff’s officials said in a news release. A passenger in the tow truck, David Matthews Jr. also of Dry Ridge, was ejected and later pronounced dead at the scene, the release states. Patrick was transported to University of Cincinnati Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. Hill did not report any injuries. The Boone County Sheriff’s Office Accident Reconstruction Team is handling the investigation, which remains ongoing. RESOURCE LINK

2 confirmed dead after Amtrak train collides with tow truck near Jackson JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Two people are confirmed dead after an Amtrak accident near Jackson. According to a statement by Amtrak, a vehicle obstructing the tracks came into contact with the Amtrak City of New Orleans Train 58 at approximately 5:33 p.m. on Thursday. “There were no injuries to the 142 passengers or crew members on board,” the statement by Amtrak read. “Police are cooperating with local law enforcement to investigate the incident.” The Hinds County coroner told WLBT that the vehicle involved in the incident was an 18-wheeler wrecker tow truck. The two men killed, who were in the tow truck, were James Creel of the Meridian area and Scott Hartsock of Florida. RESOURCE LINK with video James Creel

Brand new wrecker....damaged in wreck! Three people are undergoing treatment following an accident which, ironically, involved a wrecker truck on the west side of town. Officers said the accident occurred shortly before 6:00 on Tuesday evening when the wrecker, which was the newest in the fleet of Jasper Xxxon Towing and Recovery, was on the scene of a minor accident and sitting beside the road on Highway 63 West near County Road 166, not far from the intersection of Farm to Market Road 2799. DPS Sergeant Richard Standifer said the crash occurred when the driver of a 2011 Ford Edge sport utility vehicle hydroplaned during a heavy rain and slid head-on into the 2022 Peterbilt rollback-wrecker. The driver of the Ford, Madison Kennedy, 24, of Buna was transported by ambulance to a hospital in Lufkin where she was, at last word, still undergoing treatment for significant leg injuries. A passenger in the SUV, Shelby Linscomb, 21, of Orange, was transported to Jasper Memorial Hospital where she was also treated. Fortunately, a 1-year-old baby that was in the SUV was not injured. The driver of the wrecker, Edger Neyland, 44, of Jasper, was taken to Jasper Memorial Hospital where he was also treated for non-life threatening injuries. The owner of Jasper Xxon Towing and Recovery, Leon Clark, said it was not a good day. Clark said the wrecker was on its very first call, to pull out a late model silver Chevrolet Camaro that had hydroplaned and slid off the highway. Clark said he and his crew had just put the lettering and logos on the new truck just a few hours earlier that afternoon. RESOURCE LINK

Recently, the Ohio State Highway Patrol urged motorists to keep everyone safe by moving over when there is a stationary public safety vehicle, emergency vehicle, road service or highway maintenance vehicle on the side of the road. Then, last week more than a dozen towing companies from the Mahoning Valley, along with first responders, were on hand to bring awareness to the “Move Over and Slow Down” law. The event saw tow trucks from several Valley companies as well as representation from Austintown police and fire departments, Weathersfield Fire Department and Lane LifeTrans park along the state Route 46 bridge with their flashing lights on. The display was spurred by the unnecessary and tragic death of a Cincinnati-area tow truck operator, 32-year-old Glenn Ewing, killed after being struck by a vehicle while attempting to tow a disabled vehicle a week ago. “The main thing is that we’re trying to raise awareness for the law,” Region 4 Director for the Towing and Recovery Association of Ohio Paul Ghrist said. He hopes the event and the death will give motorists a wakeup call. Ghrist works for Jeswald Auto Truck Service in Austintown. Austintown police Sgt. Valorie Delmont explained the law doesn’t apply only to first responders when on Ohio’s highways. “Ohio’s Move Over and Slow Down law requires motorists to move to the next lane and slow down when passing any vehicle on the side of the road with flashing lights,” Delmont said. From 2016 to 2020, OSHP cruisers were involved in 56 crashes that were “move over”-related, resulting in one death and 52 injuries. While alcohol or drugs were a factor in 25 percent of these crashes, and 52 percent involved wet, snow-covered or icy roads, that still leaves 23 percent in which drivers were simply not paying attention. We have to do better. It is the law to move over when there is a stationary vehicle on the side of the highway. If not possible due to traffic, weather conditions or because there is no second lane, drivers must slow down. Every licensed Ohio driver had to pass a test for which they were taught as much. It isn’t a lack of knowledge. Rather, it is distraction and apathy leading to these incidents. In the years studied, males received 59 percent of citations, and 35 percent took place between June and August. That means we are in the prime time for some very preventable incidents. Work zones, too, should prompt motorists to slow down and maybe even move over. Surely Mahoning Valley drivers care more for the safety of officers, road workers and fellow drivers than to flout the law. We all must be more courteous and less distracted while driving, never forgetting we have our own safety, our families, and the safety of others on the road in our hands. We know better. We just need to do better. Lives depend on it. RESOURCE LINK

(Image courtesy of AAA of Western and Central New York) 'Slow Down, Move Over' is a law in all 50 states Submitted Tue, Jul 13th 2021 10:00 am AAA offers motorists 5 steps to help save lives By AAA of Western and Central New York AAA Western and Central New York is reminding motorists to “Slow Down, Move Over” after a tragic incident in Cincinnati. The AAA family is deeply saddened by the death of one of our drivers over Independence Day weekend. 32-year-old Glenn Ewing was placing a AAA member’s vehicle on the back of a tow truck when he was hit by a passing vehicle. Glenn’s death underscores why “Slow Down, Move Over” laws are critical to safety and drivers must slow down, and move over into the next lane, if they can do so safely. All 50 states have “Move Over” laws that require drivers to reduce their speed and switch lanes to protect service technicians, tow truck operators and emergency vehicle operators. New York state’s “Move Over Law” was enacted November 2016; however, many New York motorists say they are not aware of this life-saving law. Sadly, every year about 23 roadside workers and first responders (one every two weeks) loses their life at the roadside and hundreds more are injured while tending to disabled vehicles. The “Move Over Law” requires motorists to slow down and move over, reduce their speed and move to another lane (when possible) to “avoid colliding with a vehicle parked, stopped, or standing on the shoulder or any portion of the (road) when the vehicle is an authorized emergency response, tow truck, or maintenance vehicle with its lights flashing.” (Emergency response vehicles include police vehicles, fire trucks, ambulances and construction.) AAA was instrumental in advocating for the passing of this law and its inclusion of first responders and tow truck drivers. Unfortunately, law enforcement, emergency workers and tow truck operators continue to be struck and injured or killed while aiding others on the side of the road because a passing vehicle did not sufficiently slow down and move over. AAA offers the following tips when motorists spot emergency or utility vehicles on the road: √ Always remain alert: Avoid distractions and focus on the task of driving. √ Watch the road: Look for situations where emergency vehicles, tow trucks, utility service vehicles or disabled vehicles are stopped on the side of the road. √ Approach with caution: When approaching an emergency vehicle with lights flashing on the side of a two-lane roadway, drivers should slow down to a speed that is safe and approach with caution unless otherwise directed by an emergency worker on the scene. √ Move over: On multilane roadways, slow down when you see the flashing lights of an emergency vehicle at the roadside and, if possible, move over into an adjacent lane. √ Go slow: If you are unable to switch lanes, slow to a speed that is safe and reasonable. Some states recommend slowing to a speed that is 10-20 mph less than the posted speed limit. AAA strives to raise awareness of many traffic safety measures, for more information, go to AAA’s News & Safety. As upstate New York’s largest member services organization, AAA Western and Central New York provides more than 887,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Visit AAA at www.AAA.com. Click Here for RESOURCE LINK

Following Tallahassee hit-and-run, tow truck drivers plead for motorists to be careful TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - After a Tallahassee woman allegedly struck a tow truck driver working a crash scene on Ross Road Saturday night, some in that industry are asking drivers to use this as a reminder to be vigilant around accidents. According to Florida Highway Patrol, James Conner with Parkway Wrecker Services went to the hospital after the hit-and-run incident. He’s expected to recover. Sgt. Brian Speigner was right beside Conner when it happened. “He falls to the ground beside my car and honestly I’m thinking the worst,” he said. RESOURCE LINK Note: We are seeking further clarification as to who the driver was involved in this incident. It is possible Nathan Fry was involved in a separate incident we are not aware of at this time.

https://www.yourbasin.com/news/large-crowd-in-odessa-confronts-tow-truck-driver/

Orillia Tow Truck Operator Dies After Medical Incident At Crash Scene. A 71 year old Oro-Medonte man has died after going into medical distress at a collision scene. Orillia OPP say there was a collision just after 5 a.m. Monday on Northbound Highway 11 between Line 9 and Line 10 of Oro Medonte . The male driver was transported to hospital with minor injuries. Unrelated to the collision, a tow operator was transported to hospital in medical distress and, tragically, has been pronounced deceased. He has been identified as Wayne (Sampson) Whitechurch. The highway, which had remained closed pending investigation, has since been reopened. RESOURCE LINK Highway 11 northbound in Oro-Medonte Township was closed for several hours on Monday morning after Orillia OPP responded to a single-vehicle collision where the driver sustained minor injuries, but a tow truck operator who responded to the scene went into medical distress and died. Police were called to the collision between Line 9 and Line 10 around 5 a.m. The male driver was transported to hospital. A Barrie police drug recognition expert assisted with the investigation and a 32-year-old from Barrie has been charged with impaired driving. The tow operator was taken to hospital were he was pronounced deceased. He has been identified as 71-year-old Wayne (Sampson) Whitechurch of Oro-Medonte. The road has since reopened. RESOURCE LINK Community mourns well-known tow truck driver, 'good guy' Wayne Whitechurch died doing what he loved while responding to an emergency call; 'He cared for me and my kids; he was such a good man,' says widow While it doesn’t make it easier for those who knew him, Wayne Whitechurch died Monday doing what he loved to do. Whitechurch, also known as ‘Sampson’, was responding to an accident on Highway 11, just north of the 9th Line. As one of the region’s tow truck drivers and the owner of Whitechurch Towing and Recovery, he had responded to countless calls for service over the last 45 years. According to Sharron Beaulieu, his partner of over 40 years, the call that morning came around 6:30 a.m.; it was one of three that busy night and may have been too much for the 71-year-old. “The night before, he had gone on a call at 11 p.m. and then there was another around 3 a.m. and of course, this last one at around 6:30 a.m. It may have just been too much for his heart,” said Beaulieu. “When you get the call to go, you have about 20 minutes to respond to get the work. He loved the towing business but it certainly is hard.” Beaulieu said it hasn’t been confirmed that Whitechurch suffered a heart attack, but she was told that “his heart just stopped.” Beaulieu said her son got a call from a neighbour alerting them that a tow truck driver had an emergency and to look into it. “My son asked me where Sampson was and I told him. He told me I should probably call him, but I didn’t get an answer," she recalled. "I drove to the scene of the accident on Highway 11 and I saw Sampson’s truck in the slow lane, it wasn’t even off to the side. "I heard that he just crumpled up against the side of the truck. They figured he was gone before he hit the ground, so the thought is he felt nothing, which is a little comforting," she said. Beaulieu said she was very thankful for the police who escorted her home as she had told them she just sat in heavy traffic to get there and, for obvious reasons, was very upset. A private service is being held today for just family members, but Beaulieu said there will be a celebration of life probably in September to accommodate those who wish to pay their respects. “Oh, there are a lot of people who knew him and respected him, from all walks of life,” said Beaulieu. “Towing can be very competitive, but if anyone needed help, he would lend a hand and vice versa," said Beaulieu. "The others respected him and liked him well enough that they were there for him when he needed them. I’ve even heard from police who knew him and respected him and I’m seeing comments from people I’ve never even met before who are sad.” Beaulieu described Whitechurch as a man with a big heart who loved animals. “Every animal we ever had stayed with us until they died. My horse is 30 years old and we have had him since he was a baby,” said Beaulieu. “Sampson would get the hay and put it in the barn, build the fence around the property, by himself. He was remarkable in how much he cared for animals.” But animals weren’t the only thing that Whitechurch cared deeply about. He readily took on the role of step-dad for Beaulieu’s children. “I have four children and he accepted them as his own; not many men would do that,” said Beaulieu. “They accepted him in that role as well. It was tough as two were teenagers and the other two were just a bit younger. But he cared for me and my kids; he was such a good man.” Whitechurch grew up in Scarborough and, from a young age, did towing all over the GTA and Vaughan, where the couple lived before moving to their Oro-Medonte home. Beaulieu said it wasn’t easy for Whitechurch to get business as he was initially told by the local police that he wasn’t going to be put on the list of contacts when there was a call for service. “He had a hard go at first because they told him he had to be here for two years first with restrictions,” said Beaulieu. “I don’t know how he fought it, I stayed out of the towing business, but he did and got what he needed sooner than expected.” Beaulieu had a brief moment of happiness when explaining the origin of Whitechurch’s nickname. “'Sampson' was given to him many years ago, I’m told, by some girl he was dating way back then. It’s from the story of Samson and Delilah because of Samson’s long hair, because he (Whitechurch) always had long hair,” said Beaulieu. “I don’t know why Sampson is spelled the way it is, I figure whoever came up with it misspelled it originally. But it stuck.” Whitechurch leaves behind Beaulieu, four children and seven grandchildren. RESOURCE LINK

UPDATE: Injured tow truck driver doing well after hit-and-run, suspect identified TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - The Florida Highway Patrol has identified the woman it arrested in connection to a hit-and-run crash that left a tow truck driver seriously injured. The crash happened around 11:40 p.m. Friday when a car was traveling west on Ross Road, east of US Highway 319. FHP was investigating another crash in that area at the time. FHP says Lakisha Stevens hit a tow truck driver who was standing at the side of an FHP squad car discussing the removal of a disabled trailer from an earlier crash. Troopers have identified the tow truck driver as James Conner, a 28-year-old Tallahassee man. Following the hit-and-run, the suspect car did not stop and FHP troopers started to chase it. The pursuit ended in a neighborhood on Balkin Road when troopers used a PIT maneuver to stop the car, the probable cause affidavit says. Troopers could “smell a faint odor of an alcoholic beverage on her breath and the odor of fresh and burnt marijuana” while speaking to Stevens, the affidavit says. During an inventory of the car, troopers found a styrofoam cup with an alcoholic beverage in the driver’s cup holder and three open containers of marijuana in Stevens’ purse, the affidavit says. When a trooper reviewed their car video, they noticed Stevens ate a baggie containing a white substance, and she later said it was “hydro,” also known as hydrocodone, according to the affidavit. Stevens agreed to a breath test, and it resulted in .000 BAC. “At the conclusion of the DRE evaluation, it was determined that Ms. Stevens was impaired by cannabis and was unable to operate a vehicle safely,” the affidavit says. Stevens faces the following charges: DUI - serious bodily injury Leaving the scene of a traffic crash with injuries Fleeing and eluding Reckless driving Resisting arrest without violence Driving while license suspended Parkway Wrecker Service said on Facebook Monday morning that Conner is doing well, but he is terribly sore from the crash. “Thank you for the prayers, they are greatly appreciated. God has his arms wrapped around him for sure,” the post said. RESOURCE LINK 07.11.21 - The Tow Truck Operator struck "Nathan Fry" reported that he is out of the hospital at home healing.