TowNews

Polk tow company owner accused of shooting, killing customer who was picking up impounded car RESOURCE LINK with video MULBERRY, Fla. (WFLA) — The owner of a towing company in Polk County is facing a second-degree murder charge after deputies say he shot and killed a customer Monday night after an argument broke out about an impounded vehicle and escalated into a violent situation. Deputies with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office were called to Virginia Street in Mulberry around 6:15 p.m. Monday for reports of a shooting. When they got to the scene, deputies say they found a man in the front yard of a business, Strapped Transport Towing and Recovery, with an apparent gunshot wound to the head. Another man, also in the front yard, appeared to have been hit by a vehicle, according to the sheriff’s office. According to sheriff’s office investigators, the man who was shot, identified by deputies as 36-year-old Juan Barroso, went to Strapped Transport Towing and Recovery on Monday night to get his vehicle that had been impounded over the weekend. While he was there, employees told him he’d have to wait until the tow truck was back at the business to pull his vehicle out of the impound lot. When the owner of the business, 29-year-old Michael Shane Denn, returned with the tow truck, he allegedly asked the customer to leave the business property to wait for his vehicle. That’s when deputies say an argument broke out between Barroso and the business owner’s brother. The sheriff’s office says Barroso got back into the vehicle he arrived in and backed into the road. Deputies say the suspect’s brother then approached the vehicle and started punching Barroso while he was in the driver’s seat. According to the sheriff’s office, Barroso was able to put the vehicle in gear and drive away from the man punching him, but then turned around and accelerated toward the two brothers, who were both standing in the road. Deputies say the brother was hit, which sent him flying into the front yard of the business. When Barroso got out of his vehicle and allegedly tried to run away, deputies say Michael Shane Denn fired three rounds at him. The third round hit the customer in the head near his right ear, according to the sheriff’s office. Polk County Fire Rescue took the customer and the business owner’s brother to Lakeland Regional Health. Barroso was pronounced dead just before 7 p.m. The brother is still being treated and is expected to be OK. A news release from the sheriff’s office says evidence collected at the scene suggests “the decedent exited his vehicle and was running away from the suspect, not towards the suspect, when the suspect fired his firearm at the decedent.” “The evidence at the scene suggests the suspect was tracking the decedent and shooting at the decedent as the decedent was attempting to flee the roadway and seek cover from the suspect,” the release said. Deputies say Denn told them he did not see the customer with any weapons at any time during the incident. He also told them he didn’t hear the customer make any threats or say anything else when he got out of his vehicle, according to the sheriff’s office. Denn was arrested and charged with second-degree murder after deputies say they determined he intentionally fired at the victim who was running away. RESOURCE LINK with video

Video Pending: https://www.fox13news.com/video/933540 Tow truck operators across the Bay area are coming together to honor the lives of colleagues killed on the job. The memorial ride is meant to raise awareness about the 'Move Over' law. FOX 13's Jordan Bowen has the story.

Changes to Montgomery County nonconsensual vehicle towing rotations have caused confusion for several county towing businesses, but an advisory board created April 13 aims to better communicate the transition moving forward. During the April 13 Commissioners Court meeting, Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack said the creation of the board was recommended by towing companies across the county. The board was unanimously approved by the court and will include two towing companies from each of the county’s four designated districts.An ordinance came into effect Jan. 1 to establish a rotation among towing services with the county for nonconsensual towing, which occurs when vehicles are left unattended in unauthorized areas. According to the ordinance, the previous system resulted in too many trucks congregating at incident scenes. During a special session Feb. 12, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Tim Holifield said zones were drawn into north, east, south and west divisions to match with patrol areas. He said if a deputy called for a tow, a company would be pulled from the rotation for faster service. The way the zones are established will now result in 15 companies being in rotation for each of the zones with the exception of the north zone, which will have 12 companies on call. The new zones replace the old system, which had 24 zones. During a March 23 Commissioners Court meeting, the commissioners voted 4-1 to keep the new towing ordinance in effect with Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley voting against it. Riley voiced concerns about the fairness of the new system after hearing concerns from various companies in his precinct. “I’m concerned about the companies that are not getting as many tows as they think they should,” Riley said. “I am concerned about the companies that set up their storage lots as close to the 24 lots we had ... when we went to the four zones, some of these folks are just over the line and cannot get into the zone.” Riley also cited complaints he had heard in regard to confusion about the rotation and safety concerns. Noack said the process can be refined moving forward. Among those appointed to the towing advisory board, Amy Milstead, president of Milstead Towing said she favors the rotation system.“The reason you voted for this last year was because of the reckless driving from the tow truck drivers, multiple trucks on the side of the road at accident scenes and most importantly public safety, law enforcement safety and traffic control,” Milstead said. During the meeting, Milstead said changes being implemented are being noticed by drivers in the southern district of the county. “Three months ago, there was nobody in the towing business that was happy,” Milstead said. “We are making progress.” Rebecca Bailey, a representative of A Plus Towing in The Woodlands, said the new rotation has been beneficial in the southern zone. “The tow companies in the south zone are working well with each other and the new rotation,” Bailey said.As of the commissioners’ April 27 meeting, all appointments to the advisory board had been approved. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office has declined to comment on changes to the towing system. RESOURCE LINK

Samaritan tow truck driver helps rescue trapped truck driver - part 1/2

Chula Vista - Man steals tow truck from Tow yard, leads Officers on pursuit shortly after 619 News Media On 5/12/21 at approximately 12:30 AM, Chula Vista Police received a report of a stolen tow truck that rammed the gates. The incident occurred at Angelo’s Tow yard on the 200 block of Trousdale Drive. According to Chula Vista Police, someone jumped the gate and stole a tow truck. The person rammed through the gate and took off. Roughly an hour later, the stolen tow truck was spotted near Broadway & E Street. A brief pursuit ensued, and the driver crashed near the 800 block of E Street. The male suspect ran crashed into a hill and was apprehended after a foot pursuit. The tow yard stated a black Mercedes was on top of the truck when it was stolen, but CVPD were unable to confirm.

FHP: 66-year-old Gulf Breeze woman slams into a tow truck on the Garcon Point Bridge Santa Rosa County (WEAR-TV) — A head-on collision the Garcon Point Bridge snarls traffic for hours. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) report states a 66-year-old woman from Gulf Breeze "left the lane and entered northbound traffic". The woman hit head-on with a tow truck traveling northbound, it states. That driver was a 45-year-old man from Pensacola. Both vehicles were blocked traffic on the Garcon Point Bridge. No injuries were reported. FHP says the 66-year-old woman was cited for failing to travel in a single lane. RESOURCE LINK

‘Stance, aim and shot’: NYC tow truck driver recounts brush with death as cops hunt for Queens shooter A tow truck driver, after dodging a literal bullet to the head on a Queens street, recalled the would-be killer’s calm demeanor as he squeezed the trigger. “I saw him getting ready, looking at me,” said Frank Tedesco, 42, his head still wrapped in a bandage hours after his Thursday brush with mortality. “Doing his stance. Getting his gun. Stance, aim and shot. He was out there to kill us.” Tedesco took 10 stitches after the 12:50 a.m. Thursday shooting as he prepared to boot the parked car of a scofflaw owner who owed fines to the city Department of Finance, cops said. The hunt for the shooter continued Friday, with Tedesco still suffering headaches as he recovered from the near miss. Tedesco, with two decades on the job, said he and an accompanying city marshal were spared only by a moment of hesitation by their would-be assassin before the man fired three times. “He gave me enough seconds where me and the marshal ducked,” he recounted while recovering at his Long Island home. “He didn’t say a word — just started shooting, and walked away like it never happened.” The shooter fled into the early morning darkness in the typically sleepy St. Albans neighborhood. Tedesco recalled that the first bullet missed, the second one grazed his head, and the third one went wide as well. He was taken to Jamaica Hospital, where he was treated and send home. Police were investigating whether the shooting was linked to the booting of the 2007 Acura or just a random act of violence. The city boots the cars of scofflaws to force payment from the owners, with the device removed once the debt is paid. “I’m lucky I’m alive,” said Tedesco. “I’ve been doing this for over 20 years. You prepare for it. You just don’t ignore it. So your eyes are always open. Thank God my eyes were open (Thursday).” According to Tedesco, the shooter — described by one local resident as clad in nothing but his underwear — opened fire before he could exit a van and slap the boot on one of the Acura’s tires. The 63-year-old marshal escaped injury. Tedesco acknowledged he was worried about returning to the job. “It makes me nervous to go back to work,” he said. “But we have to make a living, so there’s nothing you can do.” Tedesco said the shooter would have fared better with a kind word than a bullet. “If it was that guy’s car, he could’ve just come up to us, to talk to us,” he said. “We are not animals. We are not heartless ... There is no reason to do this.” RESOURCE LINK

FHP searches for tow truck driver who 'likely' witnessed a deadly crash Nearly two weeks after a deadly crash on CR-488 in Citrus County, Florida Highway Patrol is looking for a truck driver who "likely" witnessed the accident. On April 25, troopers say a driver going eastbound hit a person laying in the roadway before continuing on. The person who was struck died at the scene, according to a press release. But now, troopers believe the tow truck driver can help them in their investigation. If you are the driver or know the driver, you are asked to contact FHP at 813-558-1800 and request to speak to Corporal Stavro.

RESOURCE LINK with video MUSKOGEE, Oklahoma - A Muskogee tow truck company is getting national attention after being featured on the show "Hustle and Tow" that airs on A&E. Tow truck operator Nik Morgan is the owner of Morgan Towing & Recovery and was called up by the show's producers last year, and ;ives life in the fast lane. "Actually, thought it was a joke!" Morgan admitted, "I got the phone call for a reason and maybe the good Lord‘s got me on there on a reason to give a message." From rescuing stranded drivers to picking up overturned semi's, Morgan says he's seen it all. The series highlights the "day-in-the-life" of a tow truck operator. "Being on the national stage is pretty surreal to me; I always thought I was just a tow truck driver, just like anybody else and they want to walk around filming me doing my stuff doing what I do every day. To me, it’s just a job but to them they think I’m a hero that helps save people's lives and keep people from dying on the white line." Morgan admitted. Nik's company is based out of Muskogee and one of eight companies across the country featured on the show. Producers say they picked Nik's business to highlight the rural dangers of the Midwest. "Everyday, tow truck operators encounter such varied and unpredictable obstacles — they truly embody the phrase 'expect the unexpected,'" said Benjamin Nurick, executive producer of Hustle & Tow (A&E) and president of Bodega Pictures. "As producers, it was paramount to us while scouting shops for the series to immerse our viewers in this world. We were immediately drawn to Nik and the Morgan Towing team in Muskogee – which we felt really represented the heartland of America. Nik is such a dynamo, and when you find a subject who lives for his work the way he does, that energy is impossible to ignore. We love having Morgan Towing on the show and it's no surprise to us that the audience has fallen for these characters," Nurick added. The show began airing a few weeks ago, and Morgan hopes he proves tow truck operators are front-line heroes -- keeping drivers safe and America moving. "People think tow truckers are just the old fat guy. But, we run a professional business --- we run a very successful business and it shows through the screen --- it shows through the lens and I’m really proud of that," Morgan added. There are new episodes of Hustle and Tow every Tuesday at 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. central.

Driver killed after crashing into tow truck & school bus in Phoenix, police say PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) - Police say a driver has died after he crashed into a tow truck and school bus Wednesday morning in Phoenix. According to Phoenix police, at around 8:30 a.m., a sedan was going north on 19th Avenue, north of Peoria Avenue, when it crossed over into oncoming traffic. Police say that driver struck a tow truck and a school bus. No children were on the bus at the time. The driver of the sedan was was taken to a hospital in extremely critical condition, but police say he later died. The man who was driving the tow truck and the woman who was driving the school bus were not seriously hurt. They were both evaluated and police say they showed no signs of impairment. Impairment on behalf of the driver of the sedan is not known at this time, police say. The investigation is ongoing. RESOURCE LINK

Dream Of Starting Towing Company Hits Snag When $19,000 Truck Turns Out To Be A Lemon

New campaign warns of daily dangers facing tow truck drivers RESOURCE LINK with video

By John Goreham G+ May 3 2021 - TorqueNews Why don’t all tow trucks from AAA and other roadside assistance providers have back seats to help transport stranded motorists? In this story, we offer our opinion on the subject. As manufacturers continue to roll out new vehicles without spare tires, towing is becoming the backup plan for many vehicle owners who have no spare tire and who may damage a tire beyond a simple puncture. As we learned firsthand this past year, many roadside assistance providers are no longer transporting stranded motorists. This trend, combined with rideshare providers like Uber being unreliable during the past year in some places, leads to a stranded motorist. Our recent stories highlighting this issue drew strong opinions from readers. Some feel that a ride in an emergency should be part of the service that roadside assistance provides. For example, reader Kathrine M wrote, "Giving your customer a ride is part of the duties of towing, I think. People stranded on the freeway, in a bad neighborhood, or in a remote location could get hurt." Others had a different view. For us, the option to ride in the recovery vehicle to our destination, our home, or as a last resort a place of safety off the highway, is a slam dunk. One reason this is not the standard practice is that in the past many towing and recovery vehicles only had one row of seats. However, the companies that provide the basic vehicle from which a tow truck is then built upon offer two-row cabs. So why don’t all tow trucks have a second row with three seats across and a front bench seat that can seat two beside the driver in an emergency? Every top-20-selling vehicle model in America is a five-passenger vehicle. Such a configuration would allow a tow or recovery responder to transport the vast majority of those who need assistance. During COVID, it was understandable that some roadside assistance operators may have objected to being in an enclosed truck cab with passengers who may be contagious. This despite the fact that taxi and rideshare divers did it all day every day on their shifts. However, every adult in America is now eligible for vaccination, including every roadside assistance driver. At some point, either today or in the near future, riding in a vehicle with a stranger will again be considered safe and reasonable. We highlight the lack of spare tires in new models every time we test one. We feel that a spare tire is a safety feature that should be standard on all but the most unique sports cars. Setting aside tire failures, breakdowns and minor crashes that require unharmed vehicle occupants to be transported make up a meaningful percentage of roadside assistance dispatches. We hope this story will be one of many that might emerge to highlight the shortcomings of present-day roadside assistance. Adding in the safe transportation of those with car trouble by the roadside assistance responder seems logical and overdue. What is your opinion? Should we continue to leave passengers stranded or at the mercy of unreliable ride-share providers? Or should the roadside assistance companies to which we subscribe step up and always come prepared to move stranded motorists to a better, or at least safer, location? Tell us in the comments below. RESOURCE LINK John Goreham is a long-time New England Motor Press Association member and recovering engineer. Following his engineering program, John also completed a marketing program at Northeastern University and worked with automotive component manufacturers. In addition to Torque News, John's work has appeared in print in dozens of American newspapers and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites. You can follow John on Twitter, and view his credentials at Linkedin

DPS: Move Over/Slow Down task force to be enforced on Potter County roadways May 6 On Thursday, members from the Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers, Amarillo Police Department Motors Unit and Potter County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting a joint task force to enforce the Move Over/Slow Down law. According to a news release, the task force will take place on major roadways in Potter County. The release states that the law requires motorists to "move over or slow down when certain vehicles are stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated. These vehicles include police, fire, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) vehicles and tow trucks." Specifically, Texas law states that a driver must either: • Vacate the lane closest to the applicable vehicles stopped on the side of the road (if the road has multiple lanes traveling in the same direction), or • Slow down 20 mph below the posted speed limit. (If the speed limit is below 25 mph, the driver must slow to 5 mph.) Drivers should only move over if they can do so safely and legally; otherwise, they should slow down. Violators of this law could face a fine up to $200. The fine increases to $500 if there is property damage, and if violators cause bodily injury, they can be charged with a Class B misdemeanor, resulting in possible jail time and maximum fine of $2,000. "Police officers, emergency personnel, tow truck drivers and TXDOT workers are more vulnerable on the side of the road and are at great risk of being struck by passing motorists," the release states. "DPS encourages drivers to do their part by adhering to the law – move over or slow down." RESOURCE LINK

RESOURCE LINK with video

El Paso man killed after being caught between rear axles of stuck big-rig EL PASO, Texas -- A 59-year-old man died after he was caught between the rear axles of a big-rig's trailer that he was helping to move out of traffic, El Paso police said Monday. The deadly incident happened Sunday just before 11 a.m. in the 7400 block of North Mesa near Remcon in west El Paso. Police said the driver of big rig, 61-year-old Joel Ramirez, was turning west onto North Mesa but failed to lift the trailer's support wheels before exiting and the wheels became stuck on the sidewalk. That's when tow-truck driver Carlos Olague came to dislodge the trailer. Police said as Olague attempted to remove the trailer, he and Ramirez had a miscommunication and Ramirez rolled the big-rig forward while Olague was between the rear axles. Olague's right leg was run over by the rear tires of the trailer; he was taken to the hospital where police said he later died. RESOURCE LINK with video El Paso Police Department *** PRESS RELEASE *** 21st Traffic Fatality Date: 05/02/2021 Time: 10:52 AM Location: 7400 N. Mesa St. Vehicle: 2016 Freightliner Cascadia 125 / 2011 Hyundai Trailer Driver: 61 –year old Joel Ramirez of the 5400 block of Thornridge Cir. Deceased: 59 –year old Carlos Olague of Socorro, Texas EL PASO, Texas — Special Traffic Investigators responded to 7400 N. Mesa St. yesterday morning on the city’s latest traffic fatality. Investigators learned 61 –year old Joel Ramirez was operating a tractor-trailer, attempting to turn west on Mesa out of a business parking lot. Ramirez had failed to lift the landing gear from the trailer before leaving the business and became stuck on the sidewalk as he exited, blocking the southbound lanes of Mesa. AD Towing and Recovery driver, 59 –year old Carlos Olague, responded to the scene to assist in removing the vehicle. As Olague worked to dislodge the vehicle, he and Ramirez had a miscommunication leading to Ramirez pulling the vehicle forward while Olague was between the rear axles. Olague’s right leg was run over by the vehicle, causing serious injuries. Olague was transported to University Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries. This is the 21st traffic fatality of 2021 compared to 24 this time last year. A Message from AD Towing & Recovery, El Paso, TX It is with heavy hearts that we announce the tragic loss of Driver/Operator “Flaco”he was a valued team member of AD Towing & Recovery. He will be greatly missed by many. Carlos “Flaco” Olague Heavy Division Unit 41 We ask that you keep his family and friends in your prayers during this difficult time RIP “Flaco” 5-2-21 Tribute Found On TikToK

Our Apologies, there has been very little information on this incident and what has been available has been unverifiable. What we know now is that the Owner of Overland Tow Service in Overland Park, KS lost his life on Thursday April 29, 2021. An informational page was made public yesterday by Chevy Medina with details of the Funeral Arraignments: Place: St. Joseph Catholic Church Date & Time: Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 7 PM EDT The family cordially invites guests to the services and events celebrating Joe’s life. A Visitation will be held 6:00-8:00 PM Thursday, May 6 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 11311 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS, 66203. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s at 10:00 AM Friday, May 7 with a luncheon to follow at the Shawnee Knights of Columbus Hall, 11221 Johnson Drive. The family is hosting a celebration of Joe at noon Saturday, May 8, at Overland Tow Service, 3505 Merriam Lane, Overland Park, KS, 66203. Resource: https://www.facebook.com/events/222119805920529

Updated ‘Move Over’ law now is in effect A legislative change to strengthen state law regarding vehicles in emergency zones went into effect this week Formerly known as the Steer Clear Law, it’s now the Move Over Law and it went into effect on Tuesday. The measure was put forth by Republican state senators — Doug Mastriano and Kim Ward — and was proposed in July 2020. In a legislative memo, the Senators say it was in direct response to several accidents, including those that killed a tow truck driver and injuries to law enforcement personnel. The name of the law was specifically changed “to clarify how the motoring public should react when approaching or passing an emergency response area,” they wrote. The text of the legislation requires motorists passing a disabled vehicle to either “pass in a lane not adjacent to that of the disabled vehicle” and, if that’s not possible, “pass the disabled vehicle at a rate of speed that is no more than 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit” and what is “reasonable for safely passing the disabled vehicle.” They explain that existing law only required drivers to pass the emergency area at a “careful and prudent reduced speed” and said that several states — Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Montana, Oregon, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming have implemented this new standard. The legislation also set up a two point penalty for a “Move Over” violation for failure to merge into the lane not adjacent to the response area if safe to do so. The fines for these offenses were also doubled. Data from the state police reports there were 7,075 citations issued in 2018 and 2019 for emergency response area violations in addition to 3,204 warnings. “The steeper fines and point assessment introduced in this legislation should act as a deterrent against repeat offenders,” the Senators conclude, “while also providing another opportunity to educate drivers on the ‘Move Over’ law.” The legislation also clarifies how a disabled vehicle should be identified, stating that two of three possible markings – vehicle hazard signal lamps (flashers), caution signs or road flares. RESOURCE LINK

Muskogee-based towing business featured in new 'Hustle & Tow' reality show Muskogee-based business is trucking into the reality show world in a new series that recently debuted on A&E. The series is “Hustle & Tow,” which documents the sometimes dangerous life of tow truck drivers as they work to keep drivers safe. Among tow truck operating shops featured in the series is Muskogee-based Morgan Towing & Recovery. Depending on the call, tow truck operators can be hailed as heroes or viewed as villains. Morgan Towing & Recovery was tasked with retrieving a tractor trailer from a lake in the series debut (which will replay 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 4) and the Oklahoma business is scheduled to appear in a new episode 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 4. How was Morgan Towing & Recovery chosen for the show? “It was essential to us and A&E when developing the series to showcase diversity amongst our cast and the extraordinary variability that affects tow work based on the location’s terrain, climate and other factors,” executive producer and chief creative officer Joshua Ackerman of Bodega Pictures said. “The scope and scale of what Morgan Towing handles day-to-day is so vast and impressive, and the way shop owner Nik Morgan lives and breathes what he does is undeniable. Muskogee is in the heartland of America, and Nik and his team are terrific examples of the tremendous sacrifices and hard work operators face daily while helping others and keeping the country moving. His passion for the work really comes through on screen, and we’re happy to have Morgan Towing aboard.” “Hustle & Tow” is produced by Bodega Pictures for A&E. Benjamin Nurick, an executive producer and president of Bodega Pictures, describes the show this way: “‘Hustle & Tow’ is a documentary series following tow truck operators across America as they respond to a massive variety of circumstances from clearing a big rig that has flipped on a major highway to towing an illegally parked vehicle. We at Bodega have been creating programming around this world for a long time, and what both we as producers and viewers continue to be drawn to is the universally relatable concept of seeing a car in distress on the side of the road and wondering what the story is behind it. It’s thrilling to watch these professionals resolving massive logistical challenges in real time, and something that continuously keeps audiences — and operators for that matter — on their toes.” RESOURCE LINK

NKY company that responded to fiery Brent Spence crash featured on national show about dangers of the job CINCINNATI (FOX19) - The national spotlight will be put on a northern Kentucky towing company, giving people a first hand look of the difficult and dangerous situations tow truck operators face daily. Smith’s Towing in Erlanger will be featured on the new A&E series, Hustle & Tow, along with eight other companies across the nation. The very first episode with the business will feature the fiery crash that shut down the Brent Spence Bridge late last year. Owner Wayne Smith has been in business for over 30 years with his wife, Amy. His son, Tyler Smith, also joined the team several years ago. “About the time that I think I’ve seen everything there is to see, some person or some truck, or some car will end up somewhere I have never seen and that’s why I keep coming,” says Smith. “I get paid to do what I love.” Smith says the tv series will showcase quote, “once in a career recoveries.” He says viewers will get a first hand look into the skill and hard-work his team is faced with daily in their profession. Matt Glenn is a nighttime dispatcher and driver for Smith’s Towing. He was there the night of the Brent Spence Bridge crash and was also on scene of a 120,000 pound crane that drove off the side of the road, crashed and landed on its side. Glenn says it’s a profession that always has new challenges and the team hopes people will get a first hand look into the skill and hardwork they are faced with daily. “There’s not an if and there’s not a maybe,” says Wayne Smith. “The road has to be open. It has to be opened as fast as we can turn it and so working together is the only way we accomplish that. You just know that you are the last line of defense and it’s got to happen. You have to figure it out and make it go.” Hustle & Tow airs on A&E on Tuesdays with back to back episodes at 10pm ET/9CT and 10:30pm ET/9:30CT. Smith’s Towing makes its debut on Tuesday. RESOURCE LINK

The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) applauded the Ontario government after it introduced the Moving Ontarians More Safely Act, 2021, also known as the MOMS Act on Monday. “This legislation will also protect the safety of hard-working men and women who move Ontario’s freight. Highways are considered workplaces by our industry and are treated with the highest degree of respect by professional truck drivers, who take their safety responsibilities very seriously,” said Stephen Laskowski, president and CEO, OTA. The proposed legislation will introduce new measures to combat high-risk driving and improve road safety, including longer driver’s licence suspensions and longer vehicle impoundment periods for drivers who engage in stunt driving, street racing and aggressive driving. If passed by the legislature, the MOMS Act would also introduce measures to protect vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and highway workers, improve truck safety and strengthen the province’s oversight of the towing sector by creating theTowing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, 2021. This act would require tow operators, tow truck drivers and vehicle storage operators to be certified, and set new standards for customer protection and roadside behaviours, including penalties for non-compliance. “Both as Minister of Transportation and a parent to driving-aged teens, I am extremely concerned by the rising numbers of young drivers in Ontario caught stunt driving, street racing and driving aggressively,” said Caroline Mulroney, minister of transportation. “By increasing driver’s licence suspensions and vehicle impoundment periods, the MOMS Act sends a clear message to drivers – driving is a privilege and those who threaten the safety of others have no place on our roads.” OTA’s Laskowski says, “Having other road users engaged in stunt driving endangers the physical safety of Ontario’s truck driving community and the motoring public they share the road with. OTA applauds the province for escalating enforcement action against this dangerous behaviour.” RESOURCE LINK

Rep. Nick Pisciottano Lauds Move Over Law A senseless tragedy involving a constituent of mine led to the passage of a new law, called the “Move Over Law,” which will now require drivers to take proactive steps when approaching or passing a disabled vehicle. Scott spent his life helping others, now this new law will help protect more Pennsylvanians.