TowNews

Drivers must move over or slow down when approaching an emergency situation on the road. PENNSYLVANIA, USA — If you find yourself driving on the highway and spot an emergency vehicle on the shoulder, the Pennsylvania Move Over Law says you must move over to the next lane, or slow down significantly. The law has been around for years, but authorities say new additions are being made. "First offense now is $500, second is $1,000, third and subsequent offense is $2,000, plus a third and subsequent offense can result in a 90-day license suspension, so yes, quite heftier fines in regard to that. It can also be up to $10,000 and serious charges if there's a death or injury to someone in that area," said Trooper David Peters. If you can't move over, you'll now be required to turn on your flashers and slow down to 20 miles under the posted speed limit. Trooper David Peters explains how the law will be enforced. "It's going to be an observation thing. In a lot of cases, seeing those vehicles, it's kind of difficult unless someone is in that area. So, if we are coming up on a scene to try and ascertain whether or not the vehicle sped past that area, did not move over as well as didn't bring their vehicle down to that 20 mph, that's an indication we will be able to tell," said Peters. Tow trucks are also included in the Move Over Law. Drivers Newswatch 16 spoke to say they really hope to see a change because it can be very dangerous. "My biggest complaint is the lack of enforcement. We were on a call Friday night there at the (exit) 294 eastbound. We were just about wrapped up and there was a police officer at the beginning of the accident scene. We had four trucks out there — two big rotators, a tow truck, and a rollback — and this truck driver came back through there. I waved him over and he came at me and he almost hit my cohort. John had to throw his coat up in the air and jump or else he would have been hit. This is enough," said Heino Fette, Schlier's Towing Service. Additions to the Move Over Law go into effect on April 27. RESOURCE LINK with video

Vehicle towing USPS mail truck crashes into pole on highway in Revere January, 20, 2021 REVERE, MASS. (WHDH) - A tow truck hauling a USPS mail truck crashed into a utility pole along a highway in Revere on Wednesday afternoon. Emergency crews responding to a report of a crash on Route 1A north near Oak Island Street before 2 p.m. found a toppled utility pole resting on top of the tow truck, according to Revere police and MassDOT. Both sides of the highway near Northshore Road have been closed as a result of the crash. It’s not clear if anyone was injured in the crash. The cause of the crash is under investigation. RESOURCE LINK UPDATE from FB page: STATED: Mike is ok, says he was cut off by a blue Honda Accord that drove away. The truck is damaged pretty FN bad tho. The boss and I appreciate all the phone calls checkn on the driver. Here's a few pics. And please pay attention when driving!

'Engage your brain before you engage your transmission': Close call prompts warning from Sask. tow truck driver Slavko Hardi says a semi lost control on Highway 16 and struck his tow truck. (Facebook) SASKATOON -- Slavko Hardi has a message for drivers approaching a tow truck working at the side of the road. “People should engage their brains before they engage their transmission into gear. Even to start traveling you have to think about what can happen. Weather in Saskatchewan can be changed in a moment. One side wind on the highway and there’s ice, perfect conditions for being stuck on the road or even worse.” On Monday around 4:40 p.m., Hardi was winching a yellow cube van out of the ditch on Highway 16 near Denholm when a semi spun out of control and hit his tow truck. “Luckily I wasn’t in the truck and I had enough time to react and run for cover and avoid the worst,” said Hardi, owner of Hardi Towing. He estimates the truck was still traveling at the highway speed limit and hadn’t slowed down to 60 kilometres per hour. “I just saw a trailer from the distance started whipping behind him, from side to side, and I said ‘this is not going to be good.” His truck was totaled in the crash. Hardi said he has also seen people sliding into the ditch while he was assisting other drivers because they didn’t slow down. “That’s the biggest problem here. People don’t slow down no matter what.” RESOURCE LINK Battleford tow truck incident sparks importance of highway safety As temperatures continue to fluctuate in Saskatchewan, leading to less than ideal road conditions, one tow truck driver’s harrowing experience highlights the need to slow down on icy highways. On Monday, Slavko Hardi, the owner and operator of Hardi Towing in Battleford, was in the process of towing a vehicle out of the ditch on Highway 16 about 30 kilometres outside North Battleford, when he noticed a semi-truck starting to veer side to side. “I saw this truck coming from way ahead that was starting to lose control,” Hardi said. “I didn’t want to wait and see what’s going to happen and ran into the ditch. Sure enough, the truck hit my truck, lucky it didn’t spin too much out of control.” Hardi said he’s felt relief in the days since having survived the incident, noting that the end result could have been much worse. RESOURCE LINK

There is a report of a Tow Truck being struck on I-35 in Waco, Texas The HD unit was towing a Motor Home when struck by a Tractor Trailer. Thankfully the report stated that there were no injuries. If anyone has any further information please share it, otherwise this will remain unconfirmed.

York police believe the tow truck fire in Whitchurch-Stouffville was intentionally set Police in York Region are investigating what officers have described as a suspicious tow truck fire, apparently the latest strike in the GTA’s ongoing towing turf war. Emergency crews were called Monday night to a home in Whitchurch-Stoufville — on Hwy. 48, near Bethesda Side Rd. — where they encountered a Freightliner flatbed tow truck engulfed in flames. Police alleged that the fire, which caused an estimated $150,000 worth of damage, was set intentionally. Detectives urge anyone with information to call 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7541, or Crime Stoppers. Torched trucks are a hallmark of the years-long war between rival outlaw towing companies in southern Ontario, and come just weeks after a truck was set ablaze at a home in Ajax earlier this month. RESOURCE LINK with video

Three distinct gunshots can be heard in a video sent to FOX4 involving a tow truck driver and a group of people in an Independence neighborhood Monday. Click Link for Video Story! RESOURCE LINK with video INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Three distinct gunshots can be heard in a video sent to FOX4 involving a tow truck driver and a group of people in an Independence neighborhood Monday. Neighbors say this unfolded at 32nd Street and Mar-Bec Trail. The video shows a man running through a yard and in front of a home after the shots rang out. Chuck Kriha came outside to a bullet hole in his shed. He and his wife were inside when the shots rang out. “My first thought was making sure that she was safe and for us to get away from the windows to get cover to make sure that we didn’t hit,” Kriha said. “If he would’ve run on the other side of my shed, it would’ve put our house in his crosshairs.” More video showed the tow truck that neighbors said was involved in the shooting as it drove down 32nd Street. Witnesses said the driver was picking up a go-kart type vehicle. Independence Police said they received a call for a disturbance, but officers were unable to locate any evidence of a shooting or anyone allegedly involved. A witness, who didn’t want to be named, told FOX4 she saw the tow truck, a couple other vehicles and someone involved picking up spent shell casings. “I’m just fortunate that no one got hurt,” Kriha said. “I’m just glad for that.” Independence is off to a violent start in 2021. Independence Center has seen a handful of incidents since New Year’s Eve, including two shootings. On Saturday, officers were fired at during a child welfare call on North Jennings Road. Kriha just wants it all to stop. “It’s worrisome,” Kriha said. “It’s disappointing, too. Independence used to be a very nice neighborhood, very historic area, and it’s frustrating to see a lot of crime happen.” RESOURCE LINK with video

Hino pauses North American truck production, sales by Heavy Duty Trucking December 29, 2020: NOVI, Mich. — Hino is halting truck production and sales in both the U.S. and Canada until it can meet new U.S. engine certification test requirements. At a Dec. 23 meeting of its board of directors, Hino Motors approved what the company is calling a “formal pause” in North American truck production. Hino is the heavy truck manufacturing division of Toyota Motor Co. Hino trucks manufacturing in Williamstown, W.Va. (Photo: Hino Motors) The Entire Article can be found on Truck News: https://www.trucknews.com/transportation/hino-pauses-north-american-truck-production-sales/ Hino Motors halts North American production until late 2021 Engines don’t meet GHG emissions and fuel efficiency standards by Freightwaves.com Japanese truck maker Hino Motors Ltd. (OTC: HINOF) won’t build any heavy-duty trucks in the U.S. and Canada until the end of September 2021. Its engines fail to meet greenhouse gas and fuel efficiency standards. The decision last Wednesday by Hino’s board of directors in Japan came amid plans by its U.S. facility in Mineral Springs, West Virginia, to expand hiring for Class 7 and Class 8 truck production. The company announced a $40 million expansion and 250 new jobs in August 2019. According to Hino’s LinkedIn page, the company employs 604 workers. Hino also is halting production at a plant in Woodstock, Ontario. Based in Novi, Michigan, Hino Motors Manufacturing USA Inc. has more than 240 U.S. dealers. A subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM), Hino said three engines for North America — the A09C, J08E and J05E — did not meet 2021 U.S. Phase 2 Greenhouse Gas Emission and Fuel Efficiency regulations for commercial trucks. The engines will meet the standard by the end of September 2021, Hino said. Restart in October 2021 “Vehicle production resumption and sales of vehicles containing new model year engines are expected in October 2021 in both the United States and Canada,” Hino said in a statement. Hino spent $100 million relocating from Williamstown, West Virginia, where it had produced medium-duty trucks since 2007. The Mineral Springs plant has single-shift capacity to build 15,000 trucks a year. Hino also makes axles and other components for large Toyota pickups and SUVs in the U.S. It was unclear how the suspension affected that work. “Our goal is to take care of our team members and minimize the impact this situation may have on them,” Glenn Ellis, Hino senior vice president of customer experience, told FreightWaves. Small player Hino is a small player among heavy-duty truck makers, producing approximately 8,000 trucks in its current fiscal year compared with 17,000 in fiscal 2019. Through November, Hino had sold 936 trucks in Class 7 and 24 in Class 8, according to WardsAuto.com. Hino’s 7,853 Classes 4-7 retail sales through November trailer the 12,616 retail sales a year earlier. Hino is dwarfed by the likes of Daimler Trucks North America’s Freightliner brand and PACCAR Inc.’s (NASDAQ: PCAR) Kenworth and Peterbilt nameplates. Volvo Group’s Volvo Trucks North America and Mack brands and International models from Navistar International Corp. (NYSE: NAV) account for the vast majority of sales. The production suspension is unrelated to Hino’s plans to use hydrogen-powered fuel cells from the Toyota Mirai passenger car for a Class 8 fuel cell truck it plans to demonstrate in the U.S. in 2021. Read or Listen to the Entire Article at Frieghtwaves.com: https://www.freightwaves.com/news/hino-motors-halts-north-american-production-until-late-2021

Driver of tractor-trailer sought in I-10 hit-and-run MARANA, Ariz. (KVOA) - The Arizona Department of Public Safety seeks the public's help in finding the driver of a white tractor-trailer involved in a hit-and-run collision. DPS says the collision happened along Interstate 10 at milepost 229 near Marana Thursday night. In a tweet, DPS said the tractor-trailer struck a tow truck and two tow operators, who were working on the road at that time. DPS confirmed Friday morning both tow truck drivers survived their injuries. After the incident, DPS says the tractor-trailer should have contact damage on the front right and ride side. The passenger side headlight may be out and the headlines may have a blue tint. Anyone with information is asked to contact Trooper Gonzalez at agonzalez2@azdps.gov. RESOURCE LINK Arizona Department of Public Safety released this statement: Troopers are searching for this white tractor-trailer, which was involved in a serious injury hit-and-run collision on I-10 eastbound at milepost 229 (north of Marana) around 10 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021. The driver of the tractor-trailer struck a tow truck and two tow truck operators working on the side of the road. The tractor-trailer should have contact damage on the front right and right side. The passenger side headlight may also be out, and the headlights may have a blue tint. If you have information, please email Trooper Gonzalez at agonzalez2@azdps.gov.

Man standing in street threatens tow truck driver with large kitchen knife LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - Officers with the Lincoln Police Department arrested a man they say threatened a tow truck driver with a large kitchen knife. Around 12:49 a.m. on Thursday, officers were dispatched to an area of 11th and G Streets for a report of a weapons violation in progress. LPD said a tow truck driver reported that he was driving in that area and saw a man, identified as 37-year-old Benjamin Buras standing in the middle of the street. Officers said when Buras saw the tow truck driver, he sprinted towards him with a large kitchen knife in his hand, screaming. The tow truck driver told police he feared that he could be injured or killed because Buras pointed the blade of the knife like he was going to stab someone. Officers said they located Buras near 11th and H Streets, where a large kitchen knife was near him. LPD said Buras appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and is facing terroristic threats charges and use of a weapon to commit a felony charges. RESOURCE LINK Lincoln man accused of running at tow truck driver with kitchen knife. Police arrested a 37-year-old Lincoln man early Thursday after he allegedly threatened a man with a kitchen knife. Benjamin Buras Officer Luke Bonkiewicz said shortly before 1 a.m., a tow truck driver called 911 saying he was driving in the 1100 block of G Street when he saw a man standing in the middle of the street. He told police when the man saw him in his tow truck, he came running toward him, clutching the knife and screaming incoherently. Bonkiewicz said officers found Benjamin Buras a block away, a large kitchen knife within feet of him. They arrested him on suspicion of terroristic threats. Police believe alcohol was a factor. RESOURCE LINK

State Troopers Accuse Weston Man In Fatal April Crash Troopers accuse a Weston man of driving while under the influence when he crashed into several cars, killing a tow truck driver last spring. WESTON, CT — State police have arrested a Weston man in connection to a fatal crash along the shoulder of the Merritt Parkway last April. Troopers accuse Dean Robert, 47 of Weston, of driving while under the influence when he crashed into several cars along the shoulder of the highway and killed tow truck driver Corey John Iodice, 58. Police said Iodice's tow truck, owned by Fairfield-based Iodice Family Transport LLC, along with two other vehicles, a 2008 Mercedes and a 2010 Audi, were stopped in the right shoulder on Route 15 southbound just south of Exit 48. The Mercedes was disabled and being loaded onto the flatbed portion of the tow truck at the time of the accident, police said. Robert posted a $250,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 26. RESOURCE LINK Original Tower Down News Link:

A tow truck driver is being thanked after rescuing a 2-year-old child who was accidentally locked inside of a running vehicle in Oxford County. The toddler was alone inside of the vehicle outside of a residence in Blandford-Blenheim Township just after 1 p.m. on Friday when the doors locked. The child’s parents called 911 immediately. While en route, Oxford OPP reached out to a local towing company that arrived on scene and opened the vehicle. The unharmed child was reunited with “very thankful” parents, OPP said. Police added the incident serves as a reminder why drivers should never leave their keys inside of a vehicle. “All parents and caregivers should carry their vehicle’s keys in their pocket in that slight chance the doors on the vehicle lock after you close the door,” said Constable Ed Sanchuk. “If your child is locked in a car. Remain calm, Call 911… As a parent this would be very upsetting so we need to make sure we always remain calm in order to keep our children calm if this should happen.” RESOURCE LINK

Other new laws require COVID-19 exposure notifications, address traffic safety, ban chokeholds by police Finally, 2020 is in the rearview mirror. Legislation approved and signed in 2020 often takes effect on Jan. 1 (unless there is an urgency clause). Here’s a rundown of some of the new laws that will be on the books in 2021: Pay increases Minimum wage workers will see another incremental step moving closer to the goal of $15 hourly wages. Starting Jan. 1, businesses with 26 or more employees will be required to pay employees $14 per hour; businesses with 25 or fewer employees move to $13 per hour. The bill creating the incremental increases was approved in 2016. And all minimum wage workers in the state are expected to reach $15 per hour by 2023. Some jurisdictions across the state have higher wages, although none of those places are in Humboldt County. COVID-19 Assembly Bill 685 mandates employers to notify employees within one day of COVID-19 exposure in the workplace. “In the age of COVID-19, our essential workers risk their lives and the lives of their loved ones in our fields, hospitals, grocery stores, meatpacking plants, restaurant kitchens and countless other businesses in our state,” said Assemblymember Eloise Reyes (D-San Bernardino), the bill’s author, in a prepared statement. “… By notifying the public and workers of potential exposures as required under AB 685, we allow workers to take appropriate steps to protect themselves and their loved ones while also bolstering the response of public health officials.” Highway safety Assembly Bill 2285 mandates fines for drivers who do not attempt to slow down or change lanes, if possible, when they approach a Caltrans vehicle, tow truck, or emergency vehicle with lights blinking. The law does not require drivers to change lanes, but it is encouraged. Drivers are required to slow down. Failure to do so could result in a $50 fine from California Highway Patrol. The Rest of the Story can be found here. https://www.times-standard.com/2021/01/02/new-laws-in-2021-californias-minimum-wage-has-risen/

State Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred on I-87 in the village of Chestnut Ridge, Rockland County. 01 January 2021 NEW YORK STATE POLICE Major Jennifer Gottstine Troop T Commander PRESS RELEASE Chestnut Ridge, NY - On January 1, 2021, at approximately 2:30 a.m., State Police responded to a serious personal injury crash on I-87 southbound, in the village of Chestnut Ridge, Rockland County. A preliminary investigation determined that Dante M. Damanti, 41, of Lebanon, PA, located a disabled vehicle in the right southbound lane at mile marker 24.4. Damanti parked his 2018 Freightliner tractor trailer in the right lane, behind the disabled vehicle, and set up orange hazard triangles while awaiting a tow truck. While the tow truck was loading the disabled vehicle, a 2015 Mercedes Benz traveling southbound, struck the rear of the tractor trailer. The driver of the Mercedes Benz, Mardochena Louis, 26, of Spring Valley, NY, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Rockland County Medical Examiner. The passenger of the Mercedes Benz, Quinten T. Jackson, 35, of Spring Valley, NY, was transported to Westchester Medical Center with multiple injuries and is currently in serious but stable condition. Damanti, who was seated in the tractor trailer, was not injured. The tow truck and disabled vehicle were not involved in the collision and no additional injuries were reported. Troopers were assisted on the scene by Troop F BCI. The crash remains under investigation at this time. RESOURCE LINK

Crash kills one on Evansville's south side: EPD EVANSVILLE, Ind. — A crash on the South Side of Evansville Wednesday afternoon has claimed one life, police said. According to Evansville Police Department Sgt. John McQuay, the crash happened near the intersection of Garvin Street and Chandler Avenue around 4:25 p.m. and involved two vehicles. A pickup truck was driving north on Garvin and hit a flatbed tow truck parked on the left side of the road. The pickup truck struck the tow truck in the right rear corner of the flatbed, McQuay said. An extrication unit was called to the scene for what was originally believed to be a crash with injuries but when Evansville Fire arrived it was determined the driver of the pickup was dead. McQuay said the tow truck was parked properly and was unoccupied at the time of the collision. Despite it raining all day, wet roads are not believed to have been a particular factor in the crash, as there was no standing water or other obvious hazards in the area, police said. An investigation by police and the coroner's office into the cause of the crash is ongoing. The identity of the driver has not been released. RESOURCE LINK

Tow Funeral Parade for Russell "Pappa" Iodice 2020-12-28@10am-- #Fairfield CT-- Tow trucks from around the state gathered for a funeral procession for Russell Iodice who recently passed from Covid. Russ was an operator of Mickey's Towing Auto Body and Iodice Family Transport for over 70 years. Russell lost his son Corey after being struck by a vehicle in the line of duty on the Merritt Parkway last April. Obituary: Russell Iodice, 81 of Fairfield, the beloved husband of the late Patricia (Tupy) Iodice, died of Covid-19 on Thursday, December 17, 2020. He was born in New Haven to the late Michael "Mickey" and Julia (Nagy) Iodice and was a lifelong area resident. Russ realized his childhood dreams in 1957 when his father bought him his first tow truck. He taught himself how use it and enjoyed showing it off and sharing his knowledge to the local townspeople. In the late 70's, Russ was one of the first tow operators in Fairfield County to invest in air cushions for rescue and recovery purposes. He then conducted airbag training classes with local fire departments. In the 80's, Russ worked closely with the Fairfield County Chapter of MADD. Russ' career spanned more than 70 years as owner and operator of Mickey's Auto Body, Mickey's of Fairfield and Iodice Family Transport. He developed a reputation of being one of the best heavy duty recovery specialists in Connecticut. He received many accolades for his work and willingness to help anyone in need. Russ was one of the original founders, former President, Vice President and Board Member of the Towing and Recovery Professionals of Connecticut (TRPC). In 1991, Russ and his sons, Corey and Chris were honored by the Town of Fairfield with the Civilian Service Medal and Towman Commendation after saving the life of a motorist who became trapped under a tractor trailer on I95. Russ was instrumental in building the foundation of the towing industry in the state of Connecticut. In 1995, Russ achieved the highest honor in the towing industry when he was inducted into the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame for his groundbreaking work. He also received a distinguished service plaque for his contributions to the Special Olympics World Games. Russ was a Connecticut State Representative for the Towing and Recovery Association of America (TRAA). He was recognized as Towman of the Year and a lifetime member of Friends of Towing. One of his greatest achievements was being able to share his knowledge and work side-by-side with his sons, Corey and Chris, who have proudly carried on the family work ethic. Sadly, Corey was tragically killed in the line of duty this past April. Russ' family affectionately called him Papa and they will always remember him for being loving, caring, funny and big-hearted. He is survived by his loving children, Robin, Cynthia (Connie), Keith, Christopher (Kristin) and Patricia; his brother, Michael; and grandchildren, Katie, Roger, Jayme, Maddy and great-granddaughter, Lizzy. He was predeceased by his wife, Patricia and sons, Corey and Brian. Memorial donations can be made to: The International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum at: 3315 Broad St., Chattanooga, TN 37408 or https://internationaltowingmuseum.org/donate.

Man charged in tow truck driver’s death admitted using meth, ‘nodding off’ before crash: reports BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A man charged in a crash that killed a tow truck driver admitted to “nodding off” behind the wheel and said he was tired because he used methamphetamine the night before, Superior Court documents say. Grant August Miller, 48, of Clovis has been in custody since the Oct. 15 crash and has pleaded not guilty to charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving without a license. He’s accused of hitting a tow truck driver assisting a stranded motorist on northbound Highway 99, south of Woollomes Avenue. California Highway Patrol officers dispatched at 10:35 p.m. to the crash contacted Miller, who said he was the driver of a Mazda CX-5 with major right-side damage blocking the northbound lanes, according to the court filings. Miller told officers he was driving from Tehachapi to Fresno because of work when he dozed. The steering wheel and car jerked, and Miller woke up then felt the car hit something, according to his statement in the documents. The car skidded to a stop, and he got out and saw the right side had sustained serious damage. Miller also saw blood on the vehicle, and soon afterward a body on the ground, the documents say. “Through his statement I came to the conclusion Miller allowed the Mazda CX-5 to veer to the right, eventually colliding with the tow truck and its driver, who was walking around the left rear of the tow truck,” an officer wrote in the documents. When asked questions regarding whether he was driving while impaired, Miller said he smoked meth the night before, and he felt tired because of the drug’s effects, the filings say. The officer noted Miller had red, watery eyes and “extremely constricted” pupils. Miller was taken to a hospital and had blood drawn for testing before being booked into jail. His next court hearing is scheduled Jan. 25. Resource Link

Tow truck operator struck by 18-wheeler in Florence hit-and-run A tractor trailer sideswiped a vehicle and struck a man in a hit and run Tuesday night on I-95 South near mile marker 160 in Florence, according to South Carolina Highway Patrol. 54-year-old Anthony Goode is in stable, but critical condition, according to a relative. The family member said he’s having to undergo surgery for his injuries. The relative said their loved one is a tow truck operator who was getting ready to work on a broke down car on the interstate when he was hit by the 18-wheeler . Troopers said the truck could have damage to the right front corner. If you have any information on the Internet, you are asked to call South Carolina Highway patrol at 843-6614705 or 800-768-1505. RESOURCE LINK

Tow truck driver, strangers work together to pull woman, man from burning car in Syracuse Syracuse, N.Y. — Scott Swank parked his AAA flatbed tow truck near the old train station on Erie Boulevard East in Syracuse as he waited for his next call Saturday morning. Swank looked up when he heard a car speed past him. It was going so fast that when it hit a bump he saw small sparks fly as it bottomed out on the street. “The car fishtailed and went to the passenger side, and took out the utility pole,” Swank said. “When it hit the pole, I saw the car start rolling.” The car flipped at least once on Erie Boulevard East near University Avenue just before 11 a.m. Saturday. Swank said he called his supervisor on a portable radio to call for police and firefighters. He then drove quickly over to the wrecked car. wank and several other Good Samaritans for several minutes worked to try to save two people in the burning car, Aeriel Freeman, 29, and Tyshawn East, 24. Swank said he first pulled Freeman out of the car, and put her on the ground where a woman patted out flames on Freeman’s pant leg as she lay unconscious. Several minutes later, they were able to get East out of the car too. About three to five seconds after they pulled East out of the car there was a loud “boom” and fire shot from the car, according to several witness accounts. East later died at Upstate University Hospital from his injuries, Syracuse police said. Freeman remained in critical condition Sunday night. Swank, a tow truck driver for the past decade and a volunteer firefighter for 15 years, and others told Syracuse.com 5/8 The Post-Standard what they saw and did to try to save Freeman and East. Swank, 44, of Phoenix, was the first on scene and immediately saw the passenger’s side of the car and engine compartment on fire. “I seen the flames coming from the passenger’s side looking in,” said Swank, a former Cicero and South Bay volunteer firefighter who recently joined the Phoenix fire department. But he couldn’t get to the passenger’s side of the car because it was up against a concrete loading dock. Swank tried to open the driver’s side door, but it was locked. Swank said he tried punching out the front driver’s side window, but it wouldn’t break. He quickly ran back to his tow truck and grabbed a tool he uses to remove tires, and smashed open the driver’s side window. The woman in the driver’s seat was unconscious, Swank said. Swank used his pocket knife to cut the driver’s seat belt. He could see Freeman’s pants were on fire. He was able to pull her out of the car. He said her hair appeared singed from the heat and she wasn’t moving. A woman nearby helped by patting out the flames on Freeman’s pants, while Swank went back to help East who was still trapped in the car. Somehow, from the highway above Erie Boulevard East, a 12-year-old girl looking out a car window on Interstate 690 East saw the burning car. Brylliyah Grimmage told her mother and grandmother who were in the car that she saw someone trying to pull a person out of the car. The girl’s mother, Arielle Grimmage, 31, and grandmother, Kim Singleton, 53, almost didn’t believe what she had just told them. But Grimmage, a licensed practical nurse, and Singleton, an unemployed personal care assistant, knew if someone was in trouble, they needed to help. Grimmage turned off I-690 to Teal Avenue, onto Erie Boulevard. They took an educated guess at which direction to head and quickly realized something wasn’t right ahead when they saw a large, black cloud of smoke. Grimmage told her children to stay in their car, and she and her mother ran out to help. Grimmage ran to help the other woman already by Freeman’s side while Singleton ran to the car to help two men — Swank and an older man — as they tried to get East out of the car. Swank said he gave his pocket knife to the other man, who kneeled inside the car and tried to cut the seat belt off East while Swank ran back to his tow truck to get a fire extinguisher. “Flames were coming from underneath the car, toward us,” Swank said. Just then, a man ran across the street from Valvoline Instant Oil Change on Erie Boulevard East and handed Swank a much larger fire extinguisher. Swank used it to spray the flames coming from the bottom and front passenger’s side of the car. The other man, meanwhile, was able to cut the shoulder belt off the passenger. But East was still trapped in the front seat because his lap belt was still attached and the dashboard was on his legs. Singleton said she helped Swank and the other man pull East’s legs over to the driver’s side. Swank and Singleton said they both then grabbed East’s right arm, while the other man grabbed East’s left arm. Together, they were able to pull East out of the car. Within seconds, a loud boom sounded and fire shot from the car. East didn’t appear to be burned and he was able to tell Singleton and Grimmage that he was in pain. They tried to comfort him as he rolled from his stomach to his back on the sidewalk. “I held his hand and rubbed his hair to let him know he was not alone...,” Singleton said. Both Singleton and Grimmage said East squeezed their hands, and they did what they could to comfort both East and Freeman. “I was asking her if she was ok, but she was unresponsive,” Grimmage said. “I told her help was on the way.” Police and firefighters arrived soon after. There was a second boom and then a third. Singleton helped a police officer move East away from the car; someone else moved Freeman. As soon as the ambulances arrived, EMTs put oxygen on Freeman, cut off both victim’s cloths and covered them with a blanket before putting them onto a stretcher and into the ambulance, witnesses said. Medics at the scene also evaluated some of the Good Samaritans. Grimmage said she fell three times because it was icy and she was in shock, but she’s ok. Swank said he is ok, but his hand is swollen from trying to punch out the window. He also said the left bottom leg of his Carhart bib overalls and the toe of his left boot melted, and the left side of his beard was singed from the heat. Swank said he often witnesses the aftermath of crashes both as a tow truck driver and a volunteer firefighter and has been in similar situations. But after this weekend’s fiery crash, Swank said he thinks more can be done to help crash victims. Swank said he plans to reach out to local businesses with hopes of getting donations to equip every AAA tow truck with seat belt cutters and window punch tools that can quickly break car windows in the event something like this happens again. “It was definitely nerve wrecking having people trapped in a car and knowing if you don’t get them out something bad would happen,” he said. Singleton agreed. “If it wasn’t for him (Swank), it could have been worse,” she said. “In a few more seconds, no one would have gotten out.” RESOURCE LINK

A train struck a tow truck Monday morning in Chesapeake, injuring the driver, police said in a news release. The incident happened around 10:56 a.m. in the 2900 block of Yadkin Road, the release said. The truck driver was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The incident is under investigation. RESOURCE LINK

Area tow truck drivers got together to form a parade for the sick children who are in the hospital. The parade circled the hospital multiple times with their lights on and air horns blaring to help bring some Christmas spirit.

A fire that erupted Thursday in a Riverside tow truck storage yard damaged three vehicles and threatened a mobile home before firefighters stopped the flames. The non-injury blaze was reported about 6 a.m. in the 4700 block of Hiers Avenue, near Wells Avenue, on the western edge of the city, according to the Riverside Fire Department. Battalion Chief Michael Allen said three engine crews and a truck company, numbering about 20 personnel, were sent to the location and encountered a vehicle ablaze in the tow yard, with flames extending to two adjacent cars. A mobile home was also in the fire’s path, and crews quickly deployed to protect it, Allen said. “Firefighters stretched hose lines to contain the fire and protect the exposures,” he said. Crews fully contained the blaze 30 minutes later and finished mopping up by 9 a.m. RESOURCE LINK

The accident happened around 6:15 p.m., according to police. Debris was scattered across both the northbound and southbound sides of the highway, and both sides of the highway are shutdown, police say. Northbound traffic on I-77 was cut off from Harvard Avenue and southbound from Pershing Avenue. No one was hurt. No Active Link Discovered at this time. Added: https://www.cleveland19.com/2020/12/23/i-closed-after-truck-towing-fire-truck-hits-median-flips/?fbclid=IwAR2E5IeJ7yZRsE_k1FkKbD0MI7X7hHaDZTOfbEdqxnVPTYXf9J6aC2zgHUE Crews Are Working to Upright the units: