TowNews

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.

A tow-truck driver was transported to Indiana Regional Medical Center after his vehicle ran into a telephone pole on Route 403 in East Mahoning Township Thursday afternoon, according to first responders. Indiana County Emergency Management Agency dispatched Marion Center Volunteer Fire Department and state police to the scene at 4:29 p.m. and found the truck and two vehicles it was towing. According to MCVFD’s Facebook page, the driver was pinned in the tow truck for roughly 30 minutes until power crews arrived and he could be extricated. The crash closed Route 403 and knocked out power in that area until around 6:30 p.m. The Marion Center firefighters said units were on scene for roughly two hours. The crash was one of two called in at roughly the same time to the ICEMA 911 center. The other occurred on Route 286 East in White Township and brought out Indiana and Clymer volunteer firefighters, state police and Citizens’ Ambulance. Indiana Fire Association Assistant Chief Ron Moreau said it was a rear-end collision involving a car and a pickup truck. He said there was no entrapment, but the driver of the car was taken to IRMC for evaluation. The driver of the truck was not injured. Moreau said Clymer volunteer firefighters assisted with traffic control and two wreckers were brought in to take away the two vehicles. It was a busy evening for state police from Troop A, Indiana. Troopers from the White Township barracks were investigating three crashes prior to sunset. The last of those three, which may have been multi-vehicle in nature, brought out state police as well as Elderton Volunteer Fire Department and Citizens’ Ambulance to Route 422 in Armstrong Township. Crews set up a landing zone on Route 422 shortly after 7:30 p.m. RESOURCE LINK

Tense meeting between towing businesses, SCDOT over contract to tow along I-85 construction zone. VIDEO PENDING see link below GAFFNEY, S.C. — A meeting between the South Carolina Department of Transportation, first responders and tow truck business owners that was intended to discuss the safety of traffic along I-85 turned tense in Cherokee County Thursday morning. Back in October 2020, SCDOT began a statewide solicitation where it advertised to South Carolina towing businesses to be responsible specifically for clearing traffic in the construction zone along I-85 in Cherokee County. The contract went to Revelation Towing on June 4, which means the company is paid by the state to clear vehicles from the chute to a staging area off Exit 80. Thursday, more than a dozen tow truck companies at the meeting said they believe Revelation was soliciting cars from service after putting them in the staging area, cutting down on their businesses. “Everybody in here should have the opportunity to get out there and tow a car if it is broken down, wrecked or whatever and at this point it is a disaster as far as I’m concerned,” said one Cherokee County tow truck company owner. Revelation said it will do an internal check, but the owner, Jeff Jolley, said he doesn’t believe the company did anything wrong. “For (other companies) to try to dig something up, try to make something up (to be) an issue, that’s the only thing they got, but that’s ok. I do want the state to investigate it, look into it (and) we’re gonna do our due diligence as well,” he said. Two men brought what they claimed to be invoices proving solicitation. “I’m gonna take these invoices and provide them to the state Inspector General and ask him to do a review of the contract and these interviews and then I’ll wait for his report to come back and then once his report comes back we’ll determine what the correct next step is at that point,” said Transportation Secretary Christy Hall. SCDOT said it will have a third party investigate the claims of solicitation. According to the agency, there are two times each year to apply for the contract — this years' dates are June 2 and Dec. 2. Some drivers said Thursday they didn’t know they could even apply for the contract until it was too late for its start in June. Hall said construction on I-85 is expected to last until the end of 2023. RESOURCE LINK with video

LIE closed westbound at exit 57 due to overturned vehicle; 2 people hospitalized The Long Island Expressway is closed westbound at exit 57 due to an early two-vehicle crash Wednesday. The closure is due to an overturned vehicle that occurred in the westbound lanes at around 4 a.m. west of Route 454 One of the vehicles, a tow truck, went into the woods and the other vehicle, a Mercedes, overturned. The driver of the tow truck was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital with serious injuries. The other driver was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Police are investigating a wooded area near the scene of the overturned Mercedes. The driver of the Mercedes was arrested for a DWI. RESOURCE LINK with video UPDATED 07.07.21 12:30pm Man Charged With DWI After Crash Between Mercedes, Truck On LIE In Suffolk A local man has been charged with driving while intoxicated in a crash that critically injured a tow truck operator on the Long Island Expressway. The Suffolk County Police Department said Joseph Savasta, age 57, of Oyster Bay, was arrested on Wednesday, July 7, following the two-vehicle crash in Hauppauge. Police said Savasta was westbound on the Long Island Expressway, near Motor Parkway, when his Mercedes-Benz struck a westbound flatbed tow truck just after 4 a.m. The Mercedes-Benz overturned and came to a stop by the median, and the tow truck went off the right side of the highway and stopped in a wooded area. The 37-year-old Medford man who was driving the tow truck was ejected from the vehicle. Suffolk County Police helicopter took him to Stony Brook University Hospital to be treated for critical injuries. Police said Savasta was treated for minor injuries. He is set to be held at the third precinct and arraigned in Central Islip court on Thursday, July 8. Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call the Major Case Unit at 631-852-6555. RESOURCE LINK

Police: Tow truck driver hospitalized after being hit by car while working in West Price Hill Photo Credit: AAA Cincinnati CINCINNATI — A tow truck driver was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries Monday after being hit by a car while working in the roadway in West Price Hill. It happened around 11:49 p.m. when the Cincinnati Police Department’s Traffic Unit responded to the 4000 block of Rapid Run Pike to investigate a serious injury traffic crash. Police said a tow truck driver was working in the roadway, putting a disabled car on the back of his tow truck, when he was hit by a car. The car also hit the tow truck and 2001 Mercedes-Benz which was being loaded onto the back of the tow truck. The tow truck driver suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to the University of Cincinnati Hospital Medical Center where he is being treated and listed in critical condition. Police said the driver, a 20-year-old man was sustained minor injuries as a result of the crash and was treated at the scene by the Cincinnati Fire Department. The driver was wearing his seatbelt at the time of this crash. Excessive speed has yet to be determined to be a factor in the crash. Impairment does not appear to be a factor in the crash. Any witnesses to this crash are asked to contact the Cincinnati Police Department’s Traffic Unit at 513-352-2514. RESOURCE LINK Tow truck drivers put on show of solidarity for driver hit by car while working in West Price Hill CINCINNATI — There was a heartwarming show of support Monday for a tow truck driver hit and injured on the job. https://www.fox19.com/2021/07/05/tow-truck-driver-critically-injured-west-price-hill-crash/ It was just reported that Glenn Ewing the Tow Truck Operator who was struck has died from his injuries. AAA Cincinnati Notification Post: We are deeply saddened by the death of one of our drivers. 32-year old Glenn Ewing was placing a AAA member’s vehicle on the back of a tow truck on Sunday night when he was hit by a motorist’s vehicle. He died last night at The University of Cincinnati Medical Center. “Our hearts go out to Glenn’s loved ones and AAA colleagues during this very difficult time. We will be forever grateful to Glenn and all first responders who have given their lives while helping others,” said John Poholsky, Vice-President, Fleet Operations, AAA Club Alliance. Ewing joined the AAA Club Alliance Cincinnati Fleet in 2019 and was quickly known as a hero. In July of last year, he witnessed a shooting while assisting a AAA member and quickly rendered first aid to the victim by applying his belt as a tourniquet until medical personnel arrived. Ewing’s death illustrates why Slow Down, Move Over laws are critical to safety. The best thing drivers can do to keep someone on the side of the road safe is slow down, and move over into the next lane if you can do so safely. “Whether someone is fixing a tire or working on a tow, move away and change lanes to create safe space around them. Their lives are on your shoulders,” Poholsky added. The Cincinnati Police is continuing the investigation into this incident. Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Cincinnati Police Traffic Unit at (513) 352-2514. Family mourns AAA tow truck driver killed while on the job CINCINNATI (WKRC) - A father, a friend and a proud AAA tow truck driver -- that's how many will remember 32-year-old Glenn Ewing, including his little brother. "That's because he has a heart of gold. He would help anybody at any time. He was a hell of a good brother, hell of a good son and a hell of a good father to his girls," said his younger brother, Doug Mccauley. Ewing leaves behind his siblings, fiancée and two daughters, who are just 2 and 5 years old. "Pay very close attention, because those drivers have someone to go home to that they love," said Mccauley. RESOURCE LINK with video UPDATED 07.10.21 Driver arrested for allegedly hitting, killing tow truck driver CINCINNATI (WKRC) - A driver has been charged with hitting and killing a tow truck driver who was on the job in West Price Hill. Mahamadou Maiga faces vehicular homicide and vehicular manslaughter charges for the July 4 accident. Glenn Ewing, 32, was struck by a Dodge Challenger as he put a disabled vehicle onto his tow truck on Rapid Run Road shortly before midnight. Ewing was rushed to the hospital but he died the next day. Maiga suffered minor injuries. Maiga is accused of failing to maintain reasonable control. Police note that Ewing had two cones placed behind the disabled vehicle and his tow truck and had his emergency yellow tow lights activated. Dozens of tow truck drivers held a vigil the night he died and attended his funeral. Maiga was arrested Monday. A judge ordered him held on $30,000 bond on Tuesday. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/driver-arrested-for-allegedly-hitting-killing-tow-truck-driver/ar-AAObFmM

WATERTOWN — Tow truck driver Sara Snide surprises some stranded motorists when she gets out of her rig to help them. But she and her husband Jonathen have been running Snide’s Towing, Plowing and Landscaping out of their Clayton home for the last 18 months. The retired Fort Drum soldiers are now expanding the business into downtown Watertown, where they’re opening an office in the Commerce Building on Public Square, so they can be closer to customers in the city. After leaving the Army, they decided they liked the north country so much that they wanted to stay in the area. “We wanted to stay local and open a business,” she said. Since starting the towing truck company, the business has grown and become the AAA tow truck company for much of the north country territory. The company also handles towing for commercial and residential customers, the Jefferson County 911 dispatch center and obtained the contract for the city’s Code Enforcement office. They also provide landscaping and snow plowing services. During the first year of operation, the business lost money but has a hefty profit this year, she said. They expect to continue to grow. She attributes their success to their strong work ethic, saying that she worked on a landscaping job on a recent night until 10:30 p.m. Their motto is to go out on calls that the competition won’t take, she said. “We’re go getters,” she said. “We’ve built up our reputations.” They started with a 2015 Hino flatbed tow truck and a service vehicle to go on mechanic service calls. They’re now working to acquire a 2014 light duty wrecker to cover towing in the city of Watertown and the surrounding area. The downtown office space will improve on response times and double the number of calls, she said. The parents of two school-aged children plan to hire 10 employees, a receptionist and workers to do the towing, snow plowing and landscaping, she said. They plan to pay them about $20 an hour. Being in the Army as a truck driver and her husband a diesel mechanic, they’re accustomed to hard work, she said. While she believes she’s the only woman tow truck driver in the area, their female customers feel more comfortable when she shows up to help them on a side of the road, Mrs. Snide said. They’re impressed when she handles the mechanical and physical aspects of the job, an occupation that is usually dominated by men. “Mothers, daughters, sisters, they get so inspired to see what I can do,” she said. Last week, the Watertown Local Development Corp., also known as the Watertown Trust, approved a $40,000 loan to purchase the other tow truck and some landscaping equipment. The Trust also is providing rental assistance for the three-room downtown office through the city’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative program that was obtained in 2017. Watertown Trust board members also were impressed with the company’s plans to expand and open the second office. “She’s really aggressive,” Watertown Trust CEO Donald W. Rutherford said. The business is a good addition for downtown, he said. RESOURCE LINK

Charlotte County, FL- On May 23rd, Charlotte County deputies responded to a business located on Tamiami Trail in South Punta Gorda in reference to the theft of a catalytic converter. It was determined that the catalytic converter was cut and removed from a Ford Excursion. When reviewing the surveillance footage from the business, detectives observed a Dodge Ram 4500 Tow Truck pull into the parking lot. Two suspects then exit the vehicle. While one suspect looked underneath the Excursion, the other acted as a lookout. At one point, one of the suspect walks directly in front of the camera where the letter “B A” can be clearly seen tattooed on his right arm. All of this takes places within less than 5 minutes. Through the investigation it was uncovered that the tow truck marked with the Kings Towing and utilized to commit these crimes was not property of any legitimate business. In fact, this tow truck was used as an elaborate façade to commit these crimes during the day without drawing any unwanted suspicion. Deputies throughout Charlotte and surrounding counties were on high alert for this tow truck. Then on June 22, the vehicle was spotted by road patrol deputies traveling north on I-75 near mile marker 170. The driver was identified as Andy Manuh Flores Herrera (05/11/1996) and the passenger as Yordan Carreras Cespedes (04/28/1988). The driver’s tattoo also matched what was observed on the surveillance footage from May 23. During this traffic stop, Yordan provided deputies with a fraudulent business card stating he owned and operated Y & S Towing. It was determined that neither Kings Towing or Y & S Towing are legitimate businesses. Surveillance footage of suspects stealing catalytic converter in less than 5 minutes Both suspects were interviewed, where a confession was obtained to their involvement into catalytic converter thefts in the area and selling the items for profit. The theft of catalytic converters has been a recent criminal trend throughout southwest Florida. Both suspects were arrested and transported to the Charlotte County Jail. Yordan Carreras Cespedes (04/28/1988). Andy Manuh Flores Herrera (05/11/1996) Yordan Carreras Cespedes (04/28/1988) was charged on the following: Wrecker Tow Truck without ID on Vehicle FAIL TO HAVE MTR VEH LIABILITY INSURANCE Violate Non-Resident Exemption from Registration Theft of property less than $750 Burglary of an Unoccupied Conveyance Unarmed DEALING TRAFFIC STOLEN PROPERTY Andy Manuh Flores Herrera (05/11/1996) was charged with the following: Fail to Register Motor Vehicle Theft of property less than $750 Burglary of an Unoccupied Conveyance Unarmed DEALING TRAFFIC STOLEN PROPERTY CCSO Detectives are actively investigating Andy Manuh Flores Herrera and Yordan Carreras Cespedes and expect additiona charges are forthcoming. The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office detectives ask for anyone with information regarding this trend, to please contact them immediately. Additionally, anyone with information regarding this case, and who wishes to remain anonymous, and eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000, is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the free P3Tips mobile app. Both suspects have now bonded out of jail and the Ram 4500 tow truck they used in the commission of the crime was seized under the Florida Forfeiture Act. Actual Tow Truck RESOURCE LINK

Man charged with attacking tow truck with hatchet STAFFORD Co., Va. (WWBT) - A 27-year-old man has been arrested after deputies said he attacked a tow truck with a hatchet. Two Stafford County Sheriff’s Deputies were called shortly after midnight to Cynthias Place in England Run Apartments. The sheriff’s office said a tow truck driver was trying to tow a vehicle parked in a no-parking zone when he was confronted by Jon Pate Jr. Deputies said he was reported to be angry and intoxicated. Pate tried telling the tow truck driver that a relative gave him permission to park in the no-parking zone, officials said. “When the tow truck began to leave, the suspect kicked the boom of the truck and struck the truck window several times with a hatchet like weapon,” the sheriff’s office said. The scared tow truck driver then sped away with the car in tow. “In his haste to escape, the boom of the tow truck ripped off the car’s bumper and damaged a headlight,” the sheriff’s office said. The tow truck driver and his passenger were not injured. Pate is charged with two counts of assault, vandalism and being intoxicated in public. RESOURCE LINK

It Could Have Been A Tow Operator, The Officer Blocking the scene was Protecting... A Florida Highway Patrol Road Ranger is in critical but stable condition at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center in Fort Pierce after his patrol car was struck while he was working the scene of a jackknifed tractor trailer truck on I-95.1 The incident occurred at about 9:49 p.m. Monday, June 28, near Mile Marker 107 on I-95 in Palm City. The Road Ranger had positioned his vehicle in the left lane to set up a lane closure and as he attempted to set up a lane closure The vehicle was struck by a gray Toyota. The officer suffered severe injuries due to the crash and was taken to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center, where he remains in critical but stable condition. https://knowherenews.com/event/AXpZtMgdgaWmPMqEdNf8

Walker’s Towing devastated after fire destroys ‘irreplaceable’ items, vehicles 'It’s a sad day for Walker’s Towing, and when people do that (suspected arson), we lose a lot of history. Moose Jaw doesn’t need to lose any more (of its history)’ Walker’s Towing has been devastated after a fire ripped through a Quonset hut containing some irreplaceable items and destroyed decades’ worth of company history. The Moose Jaw Fire Department responded to the fire around 4:20 a.m. on June 25 and arrived to find one of the huts engulfed. According to Fire Chief Rod Montgomery, crews were able to quickly extinguish the blaze, but the fire had already done extensive damage to the structure and items inside. The fire department and Moose Jaw Police Service say the fire is suspicious. John Walker, owner of the company, was saddened and discouraged by the fire and couldn’t understand why this had happened. “I’ve helped people for 50 years and this is what they do to me,” he said. John’s father, Gerry, started the company on Aug. 1, 1973, and erected the now-destroyed Quonset hut around 1976. John then joined the company in 1978 while in high school. Gerry died in 2008. Many “irreplaceable” memorabilia and items were destroyed in the fire, said Walker. This included old pictures of his father and the company’s activities, a 1968 Western Star truck, the “big heavy” 2001 Western Star truck, a flat deck truck, tools, hoists, taxis and other equipment used for oil changes. Losing some of the equipment and vehicles will “be an inconvenience for a while,” he continued. The next steps will be to rebuild and attempt to replace those items lost. “It’s a sad day for Walker’s Towing, and when people do that, we lose a lot of history,” added Walker. “Moose Jaw doesn’t need to lose any more (of its history).” The fire department responded to the fire with nine firefighters and three trucks and put water on the structure immediately, said Montgomery. The fact the structure was steel both helped and hindered the process because it held a large amount of heat but also helped cool the structure quickly after the fire was out. Firefighters also had to beware of any propane or fuel in the structure since that posed a danger. Montgomery figures that about two to three Quonset huts had been lost to fires over the last four years. “Our crews did a great job,” he said, adding anyone with information about the fire should call police at 306-694-7600. RESOURCE LINK

Roadside worker safety: New bill aims to improve it in Wisconsin MILWAUKEE - If your vehicle has ever broken down on the side of the interstate, you know that feeling of having to sit there while cars and trucks zip past you. It is unsettling. For many roadside workers, this is their experience every day on the job. But a new bill seeks to make that job a little safer. "We simply mounted some cameras to the sides of our emergency roadside assistance vehicles to show what do our technicians experience when they are on the roadside assisting our members," said Nick Jarmusz, AAA Director of Public Affairs. "It’s a daily risk that these essential workers who are out there servicing our members take." But thanks in part to them and a bipartisan group of Wisconsin legislators, a new law seeks to keep those essential workers safer. "Unfortunately, the law that is currently on the books in Wisconsin is not a particularly strong, or easily enforceable law. This new legislation would correct that, and enhance these protections," Jarmusz said. But thanks in part to them and a bipartisan group of Wisconsin legislators, a new law seeks to keep those essential workers safer. "Unfortunately, the law that is currently on the books in Wisconsin is not a particularly strong, or easily enforceable law. This new legislation would correct that, and enhance these protections," Jarmusz said. It would create safe zones on construction sites. It would encourage safer driving habits and increase penalties for reckless driving. "Bringing them really up on par with what we see as far as protections for construction workers. By creating this zone of safety where people are required to exercise more caution, and penalties for violations in that zone," Jarmusz said. The next time you see a car pulled over on the side of the road, you are urged to move away from them. "I think it’s just important to remember that these workers – they’re trying to help folks. And they want to get home safely at the end of their shifts as well," Jarmusz said. AAA officials tell FOX6 News they expect this bipartisan measure to pass into law in the coming weeks. RESOURCE LINK with video

LaSalle Marina was closed for nearly 5 hours as tow operators struggled to remove a submerged vehicle after it slid into the water while a boater was launching his boat, Monday, June 28, 2021.

This title could easily have been about a GTA tow driver getting hit Just another traffic update from the police, a chopper letting people know where the latest tangle on our deadly highways is taking place. But take a look at that video. Vehicles continue to whistle by within a metre of the vested responder, oblivious to two salient points: the law requires you to slow down and change lanes when you come upon a roadside situation like this; and secondly, you’re a jackass if you don’t. Not even two weeks ago, a Calgary tow truck operator was killed as he responded to a call. The law in every province, as well as every American state, couldn’t be more clear: slow down and move over. They’re called “move over” laws. As we noted in the Calgary piece, Ontario Provincial Police laid the “failure to move over” charge 9300 times between 2015 and 2000. The law has been in effect since 2002, but it’s still a surprise to many, apparently. First responders get injured and killed because drivers can’t be bothered to pay attention to what is happening in front of them. In Ontario, a conviction comes with a fine between $400 and $2000 for a first offence and three demerit points. But come on, people. A reflective vest is no armour against cars blasting past at 100 km/h (and far more). You’re ensconced in your temperature-controlled, easy-listening, phone-call-having pleasuredome, and you can’t muster the decent — and legal — patience to slow down and ensure that those who aren’t, stay safe? These are the people we call when we are injured, scared, vulnerable, or frantic. Don’t endanger them by deciding the arrival at your destination can’t be delayed 30 seconds to keep them safe. https://driving.ca/auto-news/driver-info/traffic-cam-footage-shows-the-danger-of-ignoring-move-over-laws

Rudy Salazar Accused Of Stealing Tow Truck, Ramming Multiple Drivers A Weld County man faces several charges after police say he stole a tow truck on Monday and crashed into multiple vehicles, including one driven by a Greeley police sergeant. GREELEY, Colo. (KDVR) — A Weld County man is facing several charges after allegedly stealing a tow truck, ramming it into concrete poles outside a security gate at Greeley Police Department headquarters, ramming a police sergeant and trying to gain access to the building. According to the Weld County Sheriff’s Office, Rudy Salazar is a resident of the Hill-N-Park neighborhood in unincorporated Weld County just south of Greeley. The Sheriff’s Office says calls came in around 8 a.m. Monday that Salazar stole a tow truck, was under the influence of drugs and was crashing into stationary objects and other vehicles as he drove to Greeley. Salazar veered into the wrong lane of traffic and crashed into multiple oncoming cars on his way to the Greeley Police Department headquarters, according to a press release. He then crashed the tow truck into a sergeant who was leaving their personal vehicle, before turning toward the gate at the entrance of the police parking lot. He narrowly missed a second sergeant in the same area. The Weld County Sheriff’s Office says Salazar then rammed into the gate’s control panel when the stolen tow truck broke down. He then crawled under the security gate and tried to run into the building before officers detained him. The Weld County Sheriff’s Office provided pictures of the stolen tow truck at the scene. Salazar and one victim were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries. It is unclear if that victim is the police sergeant Salazar allegedly rammed with the truck. FOX31 is reaching out to the Weld County Sheriff’s Office for clarification. Salazar is facing several felony charges, including five counts of attempted first-degree assault, one count of aggravated motor vehicle theft, one count of criminal mischief and one count of violating the terms of his parole. He also faces one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence. He is being held at the Weld County jail. RESOURCE LINK with video

The roadside assistance service is struggling with longer response times and staffing challenges. On a scalding Saturday earlier this month, Sienna Yang-Wenham’s car gave out on Interstate 275. The Tampa resident was heading to the driver’s license office with her teenage son when the engine shorted, multiple lanes from the northbound shoulder. Her hazard lights would not work. Her windows would not roll down. A jumpstart wouldn’t do the job, Yang-Wenham thought. The 2018 Toyota Highlander needed a tow. She called AAA, the Auto Club Group, for which she bought a membership several years ago. The annual fee provides 24/7 roadside assistance, including aid with fuel delivery, towing, flat tires and more. But Yang-Wenham never expected how long that help would take. The service fulfilled her 12:50 p.m. request near 4 p.m. “From start to finish, it was a three-hour process,” Yang-Wenham said. Her experience resonates with some Tampa Bay drivers who have seen unusually long AAA wait times in recent months. As the COVID-19 pandemic tapers off, AAA calls are ramping up, and Florida traffic is returning to pre-pandemic levels, said Mark Jenkins, a spokesperson for the organization. “As a result, we are experiencing longer response times in some areas,” he wrote in an email. “In addition to higher demand, we are among the many companies addressing staffing challenges.” Still, Yang-Wenham’s experience is not the norm, Jenkins said. The average wait time in the region only increased by 6 minutes this month from the rolling 12-month average, he said. To Yang-Wenham, the wait was a surprise. She said a “kind and courteous” AAA phone representative could not get ahold of a contractor or AAA fleet operator to help. The woman promised to text Yang-Wenham with an estimated time of arrival when possible. An hour later, that message never came. She called again and was prompted to contact the Florida Highway Patrol. In the meantime, a bystander parked behind Yang-Wenham and flashed their hazard lights. Other drivers helped push her car to the side. Her husband picked up their son, sparing him from the 93 degree heat. A Highway Patrol trooper eventually arrived but failed to jumpstart the Highlander. When the tow truck came, Yang-Wenham rode along to the dealership. AAA did not count the call against her annual allowances of free tows. “AAA did everything they could to help me,” she said. “It just took forever.” Mern Wendrow had a similar experience in Spring Hill. A AAA member since the 1970s, he has used the service dozens of times, and in several states. Wendrow called AAA to his home in February when his car would not start. They arrived in 20 minutes. “Speedy,” he said. Two days later, he encountered the same ignition problem in a grocery store parking lot, miles from home. He phoned in, and the AAA application allowed Wendrow to track his technician’s location. “It said he was close by,” Wendrow said. “But he never called.” Another driver jumpstarted his car more than an hour into the wait. The struggle is far from universal. Some drivers report quick turnarounds. “Using it in Pasco is always SUPER FAST,” Anthony Lombardi wrote on Twitter. “Yes, I use all 6 service calls every year.” “Had a tire blown out and they came quick and the guy delivered great service,” said Bruce Denson of St. Petersburg. For members with tougher luck, the problem could get worse before getting better. The July 4th holiday weekend will bring a surge of drivers. Despite the highest gas prices in seven years, more than 91 percent of holiday travel is expected to take place on roads, according to AAA projections, which is based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Markit. An expected 2.4 million Floridians will drive to their destinations, the highest on record for the holiday, the research shows. Jenkins, with AAA, told the Tampa Bay Times they are resolving the issue. “We are confident the enhancements we are making to our AAA fleet and contractor operations will ensure our members get the excellent service they expect and deserve,” Jenkins wrote in an email. RESOURCE LINK

Woman stranded roadside with her two-year-old son rescued by a Cleveland police officer Alyssa Hall and her two-year-old son were stranded on the side of the road in Cleveland with a flat tire in temperatures upwards of 90 degrees. "They were both sweating really bad,” said Bradley Colbaugh, the kind Cleveland Police Officer who stopped to help her and also noticed her other tires were about to burst. “I think this vehicle is her home,” he said. With money tight, and not starting a new job until next week, Alyssa couldn’t pay for a tow truck and repairs. That is when Officer Colbaugh came to the rescue. "I feel like police officers, we do this every day, and it goes unnoticed, a lot of times people are looking at the bad stuff and not the good stuff that we do,” he said. After taking compassion for the woman and her child, he called his friend Bobby Wilson who is the owner at Finish Line Tire and Automotive. He also called a tow truck and asked Wilson to get her some new tires. "As soon as the tow truck came, I paid for all of it, I grew up fatherless all my life,” said Wilson relating to the woman’s situation. "She was smiling (after she got new tires),” he added. "My wife or my child could possibly be in that situation,” said Officer Colbaugh. Alyssa spoke to the Cleveland Police Department and they posted her statement on Facebook which said, "You never know the magnitude of how you can change someone’s life through a kind act.” "I try not to see it as a heroic act. I just try to think of it as doing the right thing when no one is watching,” said Officer Colbaugh. RESOURCE LINK

Two suspected smugglers arrested after agents find people in minivan on tow-truck flatbed near Jamul Border Patrol agents arrested two suspected smugglers in a tow-truck near Jamul after agents found four undocumented migrants in a minivan the tow truck was hauling, the agency said Friday. The discovery came about 9:30 a.m. Sunday when the flatbed stopped at a Border Patrol checkpoint on state Route 94. Agents saw a silhouette inside the van on the flatbed, then found the four Mexican men, Agent Juan Torres said. They were “sweating profusely” inside the hot minivan, he said. A search of the tow truck cab turned up a loaded gun inside a tool box. The two men in the tow truck — the 28-year-old driver and his 36-year old passenger — were arrested, Torres said. The four men in the minivan were taken to an area Border Patrol station for processing. RESOURCE LINK

From: New Jersey Department of Transportation Safety Service Patrol Operator Kevin R. was patrolling I-78 EB in Bedminster Twp. when he came upon a vehicle parked on the shoulder. Kevin noticed that the elderly driver appeared confused and disoriented so he alerted the New Jersey State Police. When troopers arrived, they ran the individual’s name in their system and discovered she was listed as a missing person out of Pennsylvania. Due to Kevin’s actions, the woman was safely reunited with her family. Well done, Kevin!

Official Report was 9 Children and 1 Adult were were killed in this tragic accident. There must be at least one tow truck company in or near New Hope, TN that knew the Father and Fire Chief that died in this horrific accident that claimed to lives of so many children. Obviously, this family was on a mission that took them and 8 at risk young girls to Gulf Shores for summer vacation and likely much more! Our Hearts go out to all involved, as we have said before these tragic incidents are not easy for the families and emergency workers including tow truck operators on scene. Our Prayers are with Fire Fighter Blake Fox wife who is the only survivor from the van and remains hospitalized.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - A fiery wreck has I-77 northbound in north Charlotte backed up for miles. Medic says one person was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The wreck happened on I-77 north near the Harris Boulevard exit. Witnesses at the scene told WBTV that a tow truck hit a sign and wrecked causing a huge fire from at least two vehicles. RESOURCE LINK with video Tommy’s Wrecker Service