TowNews

Tow truck driver injured working accident on Kan. highway JACKSON COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating an injury accident involving a tow truck driver that occurred just after 6a.m. Thursday in Jackson County. A 2014 Dodge Challenger hydroplaned and slid into the median near 118th Road on U.S. Highway 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. A sheriff’s deputy responded to check on the vehicle and driver. An area tow truck arrived to pull the vehicle out of the median. The vehicles of both first responders had their emergency lights activated, according to the KHP. A northbound 1997 Dodge Caravan driven by Tyler Allen Morrison, 33, Topeka, failed to yield to the emergency vehicles while traveling in the passing lane, according to the KHP. The van nearly struck the deputy’s patrol vehicle and drove into the median, according to Morse. As the van passed between tow truck and the disabled Dodge, it struck the tow truck's cable for the vehicle that was being removed from the median, according to Morse. The tow cable broke and struck the tow driver identified as Timothy Joseph Reino, 59, Holton, who was outside of the vehicle. EMS transported Reion to a Topeka hospital for treatment. Morrison and two children in the van were properly restrained and not injured. One lane of northbound U.S. 75 highway was temporarily closed after the incident. RESOURCE LINK

Two people killed in head-on crash near Lisbon It happened on Route 30 near Route 172 just after 4 p.m. LISBON, Ohio (WKBN) – Two people were killed in a head-on crash just west of Lisbon Wednesday afternoon. It happened on Route 30 near Route 172 just after 4 p.m. According to the Morning Journal, the state patrol says a GMC Sierra went left of center and hit an on-coming tow truck. Both the driver and passenger in the GMC were killed. Their names have not yet been released. RESOURCE LINK Two killed in head-on collision on Route 30 LISBON — Two people were killed Wednesday afternoon in a head-on collision on U.S. Route 30 near the state Route 172 intersection just west of Lisbon. At about 4:20 p.m., a 2006 Chevrolet C5 tow truck was westbound on U.S. 30. Another vehicle, a 2014 GMC Sierra, was traveling eastbound. According to the highway patrol, the Sierra traveled left of center, hitting the tow truck head-on. Both vehicles went off the south side of the road and caught fire. Both the driver and the passenger in the Sierra were killed. Their identities are pending the autopsy report, the patrol said. Neither were wearing their seat belts. The driver of the tow truck, Ernest L. Nicholson IV, 36, of Washingtonville, sustained serious non-life threatening injuries. He was taken to Mercy Health Center in Youngstown. He was not wearing his seat belt. The passenger, Nicholas D. Gardner, 21, of Minerva, suffered minor injuries but declined treatment at the scene, the patrol said. He was wearing his seat belt. Firefighters from Lisbon and Hanoverton assisted at the scene. ODOT personnel also responded to assist with the road closure. The crash remains under investigation. RESOURCE LINK

Hundreds of emergency responders have been badly injured or killed, while providing roadside assistance. The changes in the Move Over Law are to prevent deaths. RESOURCE LINK with video

Apr. 2—PATTERSON — Three adults and a juvenile were arrested Wednesday after harassing a tow truck driver and assaulting a Hardin County deputy. According to a statement issued by the Hardin County Sheriff's Office, at 3 p.m. Wednesday Hardin County Central Dispatch received a call for assistance from personnel with Osborn's Towing and Recovery services. The service was attempting to deliver a vehicle to a residence at 18538 state Route 81 in the village of Patterson, where they were being harassed by individuals at the house who were yelling at the wrecker operator. Upon the arrival of a Hardin County Sheriff's deputy, six individuals were observed to be standing on the front porch of the residence, yelling at the wrecker operator. The deputy asked the individuals to step off the porch and speak with him, at which time they became verbally abusive and refused to comply, according to the press release. As the deputy approached one of the individuals and informed him he was being placed under arrest, the subject began to resist and a struggle ensued. The deputy deployed his Taser at the subject and at the same time a male juvenile assaulted the deputy by striking him on the head and side. The male juvenile was advised that he was under arrest but ignored the deputy's commands and retreated to the porch. He was pushed into the residence by two females who closed the door and refused to open it. Upon the arrival of Forest Police Department officers and additional Hardin County deputies, the male and females complied with orders to exit and were taken into custody. The three adults were incarcerated at the Multi County Correctional Center in Marion, while the juvenile was lodged at the Logan County Juvenile Detention Center. Charges of resisting arrest, obstruction of justice and assault on a peace officer are pending as the investigation continues. In addition to the Forest Police Department deputies were assisted at the scene by the Forest Jackson EMS. RESOURCE LINK

77-year-old Bessemer man killed when train and tow truck collide BESSEMER, Ala. (WBMA) — The driver of a rollback wrecker tow truck was killed in a crash with a CSX train on Carolina Avenue on Thursday afternoon, according to the Bessemer Police Department. 77-year-old Ronald Paul Whitely of Bessemer was only person in the truck at the time of the crash.

One person killed after train and tow truck crash in Bessemer BESSEMER, Ala. (WBMA) — The driver of a rollback wrecker tow truck was killed in a crash with a CSX train on Carolina Avenue on Thursday afternoon, according to the Bessemer Police Department. Police said the tow truck was only occupied by the driver at the time of the incident. RESOURCE LINK with video

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Sheriff: Man allegedly fired gun into ground to deter tow truck driver from repossessing car RAYMOND — A shot was fired early Tuesday morning when a conflict arose between a homeowner and a tow truck operator, law enforcement said. Tuesday around 3:45 a.m., Racine County Sheriff's Office deputies were dispatched to a shots fired call in the 4600 block of 80th Street in the Village of Raymond, according to the Sheriff's Office. A tow truck operator, who was trying to repossess a vehicle, was approached by the homeowner. The homeowner then fired one bullet into the ground and the tow truck driver left, according to the release. RESOURCE LINK

Michigan State Police probe road rage incident on EB I-94 and I-75 in Detroit A suspect "road raging" with a tow truck driver fired shots and struck the truck, Michigan State Police said Monday. The incident, which happened on eastbound Interstate 94 and Interstate 75 in Detroit, occurred at about 4 p.m. The MSP Special Investigation Section helped MSP South troopers with the freeway shooting investigation and closed roads in the area as they worked. "The suspect was road raging with a tow truck driver," the MSP Detroit post tweeted Monday. During the incident, the suspect drove onto the shoulder of the freeway and fired shots. The tow truck was struck, MSP said. No injuries were reported. "Again, there is no reason to road rage with anyone," the tweet added. "It is even worse to fire a gun at someone. There is no reason. Ever. None. It’s only driving. Going from one place to another. That’s it. There is really nothing more to it. We must do better." The incident follows more than a dozen freeway shootings or road rage incidents since last year, leading MSP Lt. Michael Shaw to conclude that multiple reasons contribute to freeway shootings and road rage. "Some of it is the anti-police mentality, where people think they can get away with what they want," Shaw said. "Some of it is sheer stupidity." RESOURCE LINK

Callaway County wreck sends tow truck driver to hospital after being hit on side of road KINGDOM CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri State Highway Patrol is reporting a wreck on westbound Interstate 70 at the 151-mile marker. Officials with Troop F report the crash involved a tow truck driver. A Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report states that a Lexus RT traveling westbound traveled onto the shoulder and hit the Toyota Highlander being loaded onto a vehicle to be towed away. The tow truck driver, Ryan Brewer, 25, was putting the wench on the Highlander when the crash occurred. Brewer was hit due to the crash. Brewer was taken by MU Air to University Hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the Lexus, Matthew Link, 32, was taken to University Hospital by ambulance. RESOURCE LINK Update on Ryan, this is from his wife courtesy of Approved Towing - Fulton Desirea Brewer Day 2 with Ryan: There's not much to report today. He did get to get his lung tubes out today. They've done their job and got all the extra fluid out (mostly blood) from his injuries. They did an x-ray to make sure that it all went smoothly and it did. We did schedule to have his feeding tube put in his stomach and the ventilator tube to go in through his trachea. This will free up his face and the doctors said that this would be much easier to clean and may even make him a little more comfortable. They had to turn his sedation up again because his brain isn't quite ready yet. When they turn the sedation down he's trying to breathe too quickly. Right now he's comfortable and that's where we need him to be so that he can heal. Update on Ryan, this is from his wife courtesy of Approved Towing - Fulton This post is from Ryans Wife Desirea Day 3 with Ryan: A couple things have happened since I was with him yesterday. He did have to get a chest tube put back in the left lung because it had collapsed again, but the right lung is still doing okay. Ryan's ventilator has been set in the 70%-80% range, but last night they were able to drop it down to 60% and this morning it was dropped down to 50% which is where we have remained today. He has been having some coughing fits due to the tubes all going down his throat so they increased his sedation to make him a little more comfortable. The surgery to put the feeding tube in his stomach and ventilator tube in his trachea is scheduled for 7am so we hope that this will make him more comfortable and hopefully see some improvement. He's also started running a slight fever which they see with trauma patients often so they did some blood tests to make sure there isn't any infection. We won't have those results back until probably the morning. Today's been a bit of a roller coaster, but I am reminded by the doctors and nurses that this is normal for his condition. We are so thankful for all the prayers we have been receiving.

CHP: Tow truck driver killed on I-5 while at work, suspected DUI driver arrested SOUTH SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KTXL) — A tow truck driver was struck and killed Saturday night while servicing a vehicle on Interstate 5. The California Highway Patrol said a 40-year-old male tow truck driver was responding to a disabled vehicle call at around 11:40 p.m. on the right shoulder of northbound I-5 near Seamas Avenue. Officers said the tow truck driver was standing on the driver’s side of the truck when he and his truck were hit by a Chrysler mini-van. CHP said the tow truck driver was thrown into the northbound lanes of the highway and died from his injuries. The driver of the mini-van, 46-year-old Larry Godbold, was uninjured and stayed at the scene of the crash but refused to give a statement to officers, according to officials. CHP officers said during their investigation Godbold showed symptoms of alcohol intoxication and arrested him on multiple charges including gross vehicular manslaughter. The driver of the disabled vehicle who requested the tow truck service told officers that the tow truck had its amber lights activated at the time of the crash and was pulled over onto the shoulder in front of the disabled vehicle. CHP officials reminded the public about California’s “Move Over” law. The law requires drivers who are approaching a stopped emergency vehicle displaying emergency lights, a stopped tow truck displaying amber lights or a stopped CalTrans vehicle displaying amber lights, must make a lane change into another available lane, according to officials. If drivers can’t make a lane change, CHP officials said they must slow down to a safe speed. The identity of the victim will be released by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office once next of kin is notified. RESOURCE LINK Video courtesy of Public Safety News: A Message from Todd Leiss of Public Safety News: Emergency Responder Struck-By death #12 of 2021 (7 law enforcement officers, 4 tow truck operators and 1 SSP operator) 12 emergency responders in the first 87 days of 2021 or 1 emergency responder struck and killed every SEVEN days, this does not include all the emergency responders who are struck ans injured each and every day while helping others. UPDATED: The Emergency Responder Struck-By death count increased to 13 asTrooper Joseph Gallagher, struck on December 18, 2017 has succumbed to his injuries on March 27, 2021 and becomes the 13th struck-by LODD of 2021. (8 law enforcement, 4 tow operators, 1 SSP operator) 13 senseless emergency responder struck-by deaths in 87 days.

There will showing of respect At 1:30 pm Sunday 3/28/21. Meet at Lynam's tow yard highway 84 & 21 in Monroeville, AL. At 1:30 pm to line up all the tow trucks. The tow truck procession will leave from there and head to his final resting place. Everyone is invited to bring as many Tow trucks Fire/rescue trucks and big trucks. information provided by Joey Castillow 251-714-0096 Admin Added Obituary Info: Mr. Charles Edward Lynam, age 80 of Monroeville, AL passed away on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at his residence. He was a lifelong resident of Monroeville and owned and operated Lynam Towing for 45 years. Mr. Lynam was a member of Southside Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents John Edward Lynam and Audrey Mae Baggett Lynam. Mr. Lynam is survived by his wife Barbara “Bobbie” Lynam of Monroeville, AL; one son John (Missy) Lynam of Mobile, AL; one daughter Mitzi (Brian) Thomas of Excel, AL; one sister Sue (Jimmy) Chandler of Frisco City, AL; two nephews Chris (Tammy) Chandler and Don Chandler; one niece Alisa (Andy) Haddox; seven grandchildren Courtney Lynam, Anna Grace Lynam, John Allen Lynam, Nick Hebert, Maddie Lane Thomas, McKenzie Thomas and Maddox Thomas; special friend Frank Penn of Frisco City, AL and a number of great nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held on Sunday, March 28, 2021 at 3PM at Pineville Cemetery with the Rev. Bill Bodiford and Rev. Don Turberville officiating. Johnson Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements. Visit our online registry at www.johnsonfh.org https://www.johnsonfh.org/obituary/charles-lynam

Tow truck rushing to crash scene allegedly clocked driving 60 km/h over limit in Caledon 'Instead of getting a hook they were hooked' says Caledon officer Caledon OPP charged a tow truck driver trying to get to the scene of a crash with stunt driving on March 21. "A bit too eager," said Const. Ian Michel, in a social media post. "Instead of getting a hook they were hooked." The vehicle was stopped around 2:15 p.m. on Shaw’s Creek Road near Beech Grove Sideroad. Police said the driver was going 122 km/h in a 60 km/h zone. Michel said the truck was heading to the scene of a collision where there were already other tow trucks assisting. Along with the charge, the tow truck was seized for seven days. "There is a misconception that tow trucks are emergency vehicles when responding to collisions, which is not true," Michel said. "Tow trucks have no special driving protection when attending a scene of a collision — they must adhere to speed limits and red lights." Tow trucks do fall under the “move over” law when they are at a scene with lights activated. Michel said that's when other motorists must slow down and move over when passing them like an emergency vehicle. RESOURCE LINK

VERONA, Pa. — An SUV and a tow truck were involved in a crash in Verona on Wednesday morning. The crash happened shortly before 12:30 a.m. on the 600 block of Allegheny River Boulevard. There were no initial reports of any injuries. No Further Details: RESOURCE LINK with video

Four tow industry stalwarts have been named to American Towman’s Roadside Safety Commission, Publisher Dennie Ortiz announced, as AT begins to build the brain trust that will proactively address the current state of roadside safety, what is and what isn’t being done to protect tow operators working the white line. The Commission will consist of industry veterans. Justin Cruse is president of WreckMaster, the world’s foremost towing and recovery training organization. John Borowski, a tow business owner and operator for over thirty years is VP of Towing Programs for AutoReturn, the leading national dispatcher of police tows; he is also AT’s Safety Editor. Tommy Anderson, a tow business owner for thirty years, is the founding, executive director of the Southwest Tow Operators, one of the nation’s largest tow associations. Brian Riker, a tow operator for twenty-six years, is president of Fleet Compliance Solutions and a field editor for American Towman. Today the problem of distracted drivers on phones has added to the dangers towers face, where alcohol and drugs were once the primary culprits. About 100 towers and other first responders are killed annually working the roadside, struck by passing vehicles. “Individual tow business owners have been innovative with their practices, and progress on enforcing move-over laws has been slowly improving,” said Dennie Ortiz, Publisher of American Towman Magazine. Ortiz added that the progress has been ”too slow” while deaths and injuries keep mounting. “Our industry needs to be focused, all pulling on the same rope, toward actions that will reduce the risk for towers.” RESOURCE LINK

In fight folklore there’s the Thrilla in Manila, the Rumble in the Jungle, and now, from the dusty shoulder of the 401, the Rush-hour Punch Shower. 680 NEWS airborne traffic reporter Jordan Kerr was doing his usual rounds in the chopper on Tuesday night when he spotted something unfolding in the express lanes on the eastbound 401 near Bayview just before 6 p.m. A stalled vehicle proved to be a magnet for trouble when Kerr said several tow truck drivers convened on the scene. “When I first saw the issue, it was just a stalled vehicle and one tow,” Kerr explained. “About 10 minutes later another two tows arrived and I watched an argument unfold between two of the drivers.” Kerr says a third tow truck driver was trying to diffuse the situation, to no avail. “It got more heated then they started grappling and punching coming very close to falling into live traffic lanes,” he explained. “A few drivers stopped to help break up the fight, and one of the drivers stormed off and drove away.” Kerr says the OPP arrived shortly after the stalled car was safely towed away. No one appeared to be injured in the scuffle. OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt says police received a call for a two-vehicle crash on the 401 eastbound express at Leslie. One vehicle needed a tow, the other vehicle was drivable. Schmidt says a few minutes later, there were reports of two people wearing reflective vets fighting. The combatants fled the area before police arrived. Schmidt could not confirm the two people who were spotted fighting were tow truck drivers. “I honestly couldn’t believe it,” Kerr concluded, saying it’s the most surprising thing he’s seen while patrolling the skies. RESOURCE LINK with video

Big Rig Videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWVH1gwSYZwMZFqCspdw2Rw

Could Have Been a Tow Truck Operator: https://www.ktvu.com/news/3-die-2-chp-officers-injured-in-central-california-crash LODI, Calif. - A crash on Interstate 5 in San Joaquin County early Tuesday killed three people and injured two California Highway Patrol officers, authorities said. The CHP Stockton office tweeted that the two officers were in a CHP vehicle that was struck in the rear around 2:30 a.m. KCRA reported that the officers’ vehicle was on the shoulder of I-5 waiting for a tow truck to assist a semi that broke down overnight. A passing car struck the CHP vehicle, plowed into trees, caught fire and the three people inside died. The officers were flown to a hospital. The area of the crash is northwest of Lodi. The crash occurred on the southbound side of the interstate just south of the Sacramento County line, KCRA reported.

BAKER CITY — When Terry Benge saw the silver car speeding straight at him, he scarcely had time to react. Benge, who was driving a tow truck, swerved to the shoulder of Interstate 84. Maybe a second later, the car whizzed past. Benge estimates the distance between the car and his truck was a couple feet. "It was close enough I could tell he was clean-shaven," Benge said. A few miles farther along the freeway, the driver of the silver car, Logan Raye Deuel-Clinkenbeard, 28, collided with an Oregon State Police SUV driven by Senior Trooper Andrew McClay. Neither was seriously hurt in the crash, which happened about 2:10 p.m. on Friday, March 12, near Milepost 327, about 23 miles east of Baker City near Durkee. Deuel-Clinkenbeard, whose address was listed as Missoula, Montana, by the Baker County Jail but who also has a Camas, Washington, address, according to court records, was arrested and charged with second-degree attempted assault, reckless driving and recklessly endangering another person. Baker County Circuit Court Judge Matt Shirtcliff on Tuesday, March 16, granted Deuel-Clinkenbeard a conditional release. He is required to stay with his father in Montana and to attend a status check hearing, by phone, on April 1. Benge, who has worked for Superior Towing in Baker City for about seven months, was driving eastbound, toward Ontario, on the afternoon of March 12. He said he had just picked up a couple whose car had hit a deer near Milepost 327. He was towing their car to Ontario, and they were riding with him in the tow truck. Benge said he was near Ash Grove Cement, where the freeway enters a series of curves in the Burnt River Canyon, when he saw the silver car, traveling west in the eastbound lanes. The car was rounding a corner when Benge saw it. He estimated its speed at more than 90 mph. "The whole car was lifting to one side from the force," Benge said. After the near collision, Benge continued east to Ontario to drop off the couple, who are from Washington, and their vehicle. He said the couple was already "shaken up" from hitting the deer, and the close call with the wrong-way driver added to their anxiety. Benge said his boss, having heard over a police scanner about Deuel-Clinkenbeard's collision with McClay's patrol SUV, radioed him to tell him what had happened. Benge said workers were still cleaning up the scene at Milepost 327 when he was on his way back to Baker City from Ontario. He ended up towing the OSP vehicle, which suffered major damage, to Baker City. Benge said it was his first encounter with a wrong-way driver on the freeway. Sgt. Craig Rilee of the Baker County Sheriff's Office, who investigated the case and interviewed both McClay and Benge, wrote in his report that the Baker County Dispatch Center received more than 35 calls to 911 about the wrong-way driver. It's not clear where Deuel-Clinkenbeard started driving the wrong way, but callers reported the silver car driving west in the eastbound lanes starting around Milepost 342 near the Lime exit. Deuel-Clinkenbeard then drove through the Burnt River Canyon, which is one of the curviest sections of Interstate 84 in Eastern Oregon, and continued through the Durkee Valley toward Baker City. According to Rilee's report, McClay was driving eastbound near Milepost 327 when he saw, about a half mile ahead, a vehicle swerve to avoid colliding with a silver car traveling west. McClay had his emergency lights flashing and his siren blaring. In his report, Rilee wrote McClay "was unable to safely maneuver out of the path of the oncoming vehicle so he made the decision to stop the wrong way vehicle from continuing the wrong way. The left front of (McClay's) patrol vehicle collided with the left front of the wrong way vehicle." Deuel-Clinkenbeard's Camry stopped in the freeway median, about 50 yards from McClay's vehicle, Rilee wrote. In his own report, McClay wrote he "rammed the vehicle to get it off the roadway." McClay was not available for an interview because the criminal investigation is ongoing, OSP Capt. Timothy Fox, the state police government and media relations official, wrote in an email to the Baker City Herald. In a document filed on Monday, March 15, in Baker County Circuit Court in support of a motion seeking to release Deuel-Clinkenbeard to either his father or on conditions set by the court, the father said his son has "severe mental health conditions for which we have been seeking treatment." The document also states Deuel-Clinkenbeard has no prior criminal history and "needs consistent mental health treatment." None of the police reports mentions Deuel-Clinkenbeard being tested for intoxicants. Fox, the OSP spokesperson, said the driver likely wouldn't be tested if he did not show any signs of impairment. One of the conditions of the release agreement requires Deuel-Clinkenbeard to meet with a doctor and to take any medications prescribed. RESOURCE LINK

POMEROY, Ohio. (WTAP) - On March 18, AAA and Ford Motor Company awarded Riverside Auto and Towing LLC with the Ford Real Heroes Award. This award is given to towing companies that truly go out of their way for those in the community that needs them. RESOURCE LINK with video It was Christmas Eve in 2019, and Lee Richards and his wife Tina were getting ready for their big family get-together. Around 6 p.m. the phone rang. A young girl named Alexa was driving throughout the night to surprise her parents in Florida on Christmas Day when one of her car tires popped and she needed help. Being a Triple-A member, Alexa called them for assistance in order to have them reach out to a local Triple-A towing company. That was where Riverside towing came in. Lee and Tina Richards own Riverside Auto and Towing LLC, and most towing companies are closed for the holidays by this time. It turns out, where Alexa was located wasn’t far from Lee and Tina’s house, so Lee hopped in his truck and met up with Alexa. When Lee arrived at the scene, he saw Alexa was cold, tired, and scared. She didn’t have a spare tire with her, so Lee offered to tow her car back to his house and repair the tire there. When Alexa arrived, she was greeted by Tina with open arms and made her feel comfortable while Lee fixed the tire. Lee was able to not only repair the tire but also gave Alexa a spare as well. Keeping in the season with the Christmas spirit, Lee told Alexa the fix was free of charge. Before Alexa left, Lee and Tina packed her some snacks for the road and gave her advice on where to stop if she needed a hotel, gas, and food. It was after this experience that Tina decided to enter her and her husband’s story for the award, after receiving an email from AAA to enter. In attendance for the ceremony were multiple executives from both AAA and the Ford Motor Company. In fact, some of the executives said Lee and Tina’s story hit home because they have young daughters named Alexa, and they were happy to know that there were people out there that would help in any way they could. Tina also mentioned that year for Christmas, her youngest daughter wanted an Amazon Alexa, and after Tina and Lee helped out Alexa, they gave their daughter an Alexa to remember that Christmas by. For their heroism, the Richards were awarded $30,000 towards a brand-new tow truck for the company. RESOURCE LINK

PEORIA, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) -- A man was hit and killed by a truck towing a bus in Peoria Wednesday night. According to Peoria police, the man was crossing Olive Avenue while outside of a crosswalk near 91st Avenue at around 8:15 p.m. Police say there was a tow truck with a full size bus in tow that was stopped at the red light on Olive Avenue. Investigators say the man walked between the tow truck and the attached bus and was between the two vehicles when the light turned green. The tow truck driver drove through the green light and the man was run over by the bus that was in tow. Police say the man suffered extensive head injuries and died at the scene. His name and age have not been released. The tow truck driver was not injured and stayed at the scene. Police say he cooperated with the investigation and did not show any sign of impairment. The incident is still being investigated by Peoria police, but investigators say that speed was not a factor and this appears to be a tragic accident. No arrests have been made and no citations have been issued. RESOURCE LINK

An Orange County businessman is coming forward to share video of a person using a tow truck to allegedly steal cars. - Fullerton man says his work van suddenly disappeared. After he saw security video, he realized it was towed away. But who did it? Only on 2 CBS to Orange County Reporter, Michele Gile, found some answers. ANGEL LUGO: The thing that gave it away first is it-- it didn't have license plates. It didn't have a front license plate. Didn't have a back license plate. MICHELE GILE: Add to that, the fact that the suspect dresses in a reflective vest like a legitimate tow truck driver would. Here is video from Fullerton this past Saturday of the thief as he's about to hook up the white van and cart it away. Notice the tow truck has no markings, no company name on it, but the suspect acts like he's doing official business. Now Angel Lugo has no work van and none of his equipment and tools. It's a loss amounting to $25,000. ANGEL LUGO: The dispatcher, when she talked to me she said this is organized. That this is something that's been happening a lot in LA and Orange County, that they've been taking the vehicles away. And you know, nobody's questioning them, you know. MICHELE GILE: Ironically, the victim installs security systems for a living and he put in this one that recorded the video. One of the cameras captured the suspect stealing his van and also casing another van in the same area. The victim thinks that the culprit doesn't so much want the vehicles, but what is inside of them. And the thief is fast. We counted, it took only 10 seconds for him to hook up the van and drive off. Fullerton Police need the public's help. A BMW was stolen the same night by a tow truck. It appears it's the same suspect, according to officials. The BMW has been found in Fullerton, but Angel Lugo's van is still missing. ANGEL LUGO: We-- we supply security for people and-- and these people are getting away with it, because they're looking legit. RESOURCE LINK with video