TowNews

This incident has been reported with few details. A Tow Operator was struck and the driver fled the scene sometime around noon someplace in New York State. The company was reported to be Crossfire Tow out of Hyde Park, NY. A follow up stated the Hit & Run Driver had been located. No Resource at this time. If anyone has further details please add them.

Video shows runaway tow truck caught on Trooper Dash Cam. A tow truck almost needed a tow after the driver forgot to set the parking brake when he arrived at a crash scene on Highway 12 near Burbank. The driver had stopped his truck on the steep slope of the median near the Snake River bridge, said Trooper Chris Thorson. When he climbed out of the truck at 7 a.m. Tuesday, he forgot to set his brake. He was preparing to load up one of the two cars from the collision when his truck began rolling forward through the median, heading toward on-coming traffic. Trooper Thorson caught the mishap on video, and posted it to Twitter, including the truck driver giving chase. Thorson told the Herald that the steep slope of the median and loose dirt stopped the truck’s momentum before it rolled into the on-coming lanes. RESOURCE LINK with video

One dead after driver suspected of DUI crashes vehicle into back of tow truck A suspected DUI driver smashed into the back of a tow truck on north state Route 125 early Sunday, killing his female passenger, officials said. California Highway Officials told OnScene TV that the tow truck had just pulled off to help a disabled motorist when the crash happened near Interstate 8 about 12:40 a.m. The passenger side of the truck that crashed took the brunt of the damage. The victim was not identified, and no one else was seriously injured. The truck driver was arrested and is facing felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter charges in connection with the crash. RESOURCE LINK Company FB Page

Tow truck driver avoids crash, turns in OVI suspect: North Olmsted Police Blotter NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio – OVI: I-480 An officer at 7 p.m. Oct. 8 responded to a call of a reckless driver on I-480 westbound that exited at Great Northern Boulevard. The officer spotted the car pulling into the Great Northern Mall parking lot. Police approached the car and found two men standing outside of it. One of the men said he was a tow truck driver who called police on the suspect because the two had been driving on I-480 when the suspect, who had been driving only 45 mph, suddenly changed lanes and nearly collided with the tow truck. The truck driver said he slammed on his brakes to avoid a crash, and the suspect’s car continued straddling two lanes. The truck driver was concerned the car driver was either intoxicated or having a medical emergency. The truck driver followed the car into the mall parking lot, parked directly behind the suspect’s car, and grabbed the suspect by the wrist to prevent him from walking away. When police spoke with the car driver, officers smelled an alcoholic beverage. He admitted to having a few alcoholic drinks. His speech was slurred, his eyes were glassy, and he was swaying in place, according to a police report. Police charged the suspect with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, driving without a license, and having an open container in a motor vehicle. RESOURCE LINK Before it starts, we ask you keep the legal concerns regarding detaining the driver professional

Boats, RVs, trailers, vehicles add up to thousands of dollars a year The cost of dealing with abandoned vehicles, RVs, boats, campers and trailers leave local tow truck companies on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. “When the police call us to tow a vehicle, we don’t have a choice,” explained Dave LeQuesne, owner of Westshore Towing. “We don’t get paid to tow abandoned vehicles, but try to do it on a good neighbour basis. That’s resulted in a loss exceeding $100,000 last year.” Don Affleck, the owner of Peninsula Towing, said although abandoned items requiring towing has always been an issue, the problem is on the rise during the COVID-19 pandemic. “They take up unpaid space in our yards and we’re stuck with disposing of them if they’re not claimed. This is unretrievable debt.” Affleck and his wife, Meghan, peg the cost at around $100, 000 a year for their company as well. “We have to pay the drivers and cover our costs and the salvage value has plummeted due to the global economic downturn,” Meghan noted. LeQuesne cited as an example 10 vehicles he recently took to Schnitzer Steel for scrap metal that netted only $664.61. Totem Towing owner Dan Bird said it’s getting to the point where they don’t want to tow abandoned motor homes because of the costs involved in stripping them down for disposal, which exacerbates the cost of storage and loss of space in their yard. LeQuesne currently has three vehicles taking up space in the yard right now from people who left the province for other ventures. Many of the abandoned vehicles pose environmental hazards to the community, especially when they are left in environmentally sensitive areas, Meghan Affleck added. A boat dumped in a vacant field near a townhouse complex in Sooke a few years ago – and was recently set on fire – underscores the problem. Affleck and LeQuesne, along with the owners of Tiger Towing in Duncan, and Georgia Straight Towing in Courtenay met at the BC Legislature on Nov. 26, 2019 with Premier John Horgan, Attorney-General David Eby and Solicitor General Mike Farnsworth to try and find solutions to the problem. The tow operators proposed adding a levy similar to what’s charged on batteries, computers, refrigerators, pop cans, small appliances and other items to help recoup the losses. That would also provide some incentive not to abandon vehicles and would be helpful in recovering costs from ICBC on uninsured vehicles, Don Affleck said. “If there was a fee for getting rid of these, it would act as an incentive for people to dispose of their property correctly,” LeQuesene said. Although they said the government seemed open to exploring solutions at the time, there has been no response since the meeting. “It seems to have fallen on the back burner like a lot of things because of COVID,” LeQuesne said. LeQuesne and the Afflecks believe it should be an election issue that all of the parties take a serious look at. “That way maybe we can get something done after the election,” LeQuesne said. “It’s a province-wide issue, and it’s getting more expensive all the time.” RESOURCE LINK

A man died Wednesday from injuries he suffered during a strange towing incident earlier that day. Darryl Sanford, 50, was in the 5000 block of South Halsted Street in the New City neighborhood on the South Side. He saw an unknown tow truck attempting to take possession of a Kia car, Chicago police said. Sanford climbed on top of the car, but the truck began to tow it away despite his presence, police said. The motion caused him to fall onto the street. He was taken to Saint Bernard Hospital, where officers spoke to him around 2:37 p.m. Wednesday about the incident, police said. Hours later, Sanford died from multiple injuries suffered during the incident, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. His death was ruled accidental. Police have not identified the owner of the Kia. The incident is being investigated. RESOURCE LINK

Fresno man booked after fatal crash; CHP says DUI suspected. A 48-year-old Fresno man was booked on DUI charges in Kern County after he reportedly crashed into a tow track and a 22-year-old man Thursday night, killing the victim, the California Highway Patrol reported. He was identified as Grant August Miller. The crash took place on northbound Highway 99 south of Woollomes Avenue just before midnight. The CHP said Miller was driving a Mazda CX-5 when he struck the victim, who was standing next to the tow truck helping a stranded motorist. Miller allegedly swerved onto the right shoulder when he struck the pedestrian and the truck. The victim died at the scene. RESOURCE LINK

UPDATED: Fairfax police investigating fatal crash in Herndon involving tow truck A 30-year-old Herndon man was killed in a crash involving a tow truck on Wednesday night. Police were called to the Centreville and McLearen roads around 9 p.m. for a crash involving a 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee and a 2015 Ford Super Duty tow truck. A preliminary investigation determined the Jeep was traveling northbound on Centreville Road when the driver turned onto eastbound McLearen Road, crossed the center median and crashed into a tow truck traveling in the westbound lanes, Fairfax County police said. The driver, Jonathan Szott, 30, of Herndon, was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Detectives are working to determine if speed or alcohol were factors in the crash. RESOURCE LINK

Tow truck driver killed in Highway 99 collision in Delano BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A tow truck driver helping a stranded motorist was killed after another vehicle collided into his tow truck along Highway 99 in Delano, according to the California Highway Patrol. CHP Sgt. Michael Phillips said the crash happened just before 10 p.m. just south of Wollomes Avenue in northbound lanes of Highway 99. Phillips said a red Mitsubisihi SUV veered from the slow lane and collided with the tow truck that was on the right shoulder as the two truck driver was assisting a stranded motorist. The tow truck driver was standing beside the tow truck at the time of the crash and he was struck and killed. The Kern County Coroner’s Office will identify him. The driver of the SUV suffered minor injuries. Phillips said investigators are also looking for a white vehicle and its driver that may have witnessed or may have been involved in the collision. Drugs or alcohol are suspected to be a factor in the collision Phillips said, but it is under investigation. Two right lanes remained closed for the investigation. Take an alternate route if possible. We will update this story as we learn more information.

Recovery efforts underway after vehicle found submerged in Greens Bayou Deputies are working the scene of a water rescue in north Harris County where a vehicle was found submerged in water. Harris County Sheriff's Office said deputies received a call at around 2:15 p.m. Thursday regarding a vehicle in water. It is not known if anyone was inside the vehicle at the time, nor what happened that led to the car being submerged. This story is developing. All updates can be found in this article. RESOURCE LINK with video

No Details Available at this time other than a driver has been injured in Little Rock, AR. If you have Information about this tragic incident please add it in reply. Otherwise we will continue to research and verify the report. Thanks and ours thought's will be with this driver till we have more information. Updated at 11:53am Our understanding is a Tractor Fell on him and he has a broken leg. Again, this is all unconfirmed at this time. So, we need your assistance if your in the area of Little Rock, AR. to confirm. Thanks

Fairfax County Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred Wednesday night near the McLearen Square Shopping Center. HERNDON, VA — A driver died at the hospital following a collision that occurred late Wednesday night in the Herndon area of the county, according to a post on the Fairfax County Police Department's Twitter account. Detectives from FCPD's Crash Reconstruction Unit were on the scene in the 3500 block of McLearen Road, around 11:18 p.m., investigating the crash, which involved a car and a tow truck. McLearen Road between the McLearen Square Shopping Center and Centreville Road was closed temporarily to allow police to investigate the scene. The road was reopened around 4:24 a.m. News Reported "This is a developing story and will be updated once more information becomes available." RESOURCE LINK

Halloween is just two weeks away, and while the pandemic is threatening to ruin one of the best times of the year for kids, some Richmondites are trying to come up with safe and fun ways to keep the holiday alive. Jonny So, the owner of Richmond-based Jonny’s Towing and Recovery Ltd., is setting up a free “haunted tow truck” show, hitting the road with his favourite tow truck on Halloween night to give Richmond children a cheap thrill. “The whole show will start off with a ghost host saying ‘welcome everyone’... It’s a voice that people can hear but they aren’t able to see it. And then people can see three pumpkins floating in the air,” said So, who is directing and producing the show. But the fun doesn’t stop there — ghost pirates, silly ghosts and skeletons will also be in the show. “These decorations will be projected onto a really thin material. When the show starts, the material vanishes and all decorations seem to appear (out of) the thin air,” explained So, who spent a great deal of effort with his friends figuring out how the electronics and software operate correctly to ensure many Richmondites could be entertained on Halloween. Born in Romania but later adopted by Canadian parents at a young age, So told the Richmond News that Halloween is his favourite holiday, which allows him to wear costumes and dream big. “I love Halloween. For this year, we understand that kids are not able to trick or treat. But they deserve to enjoy the fun, since that’s the night they can dress up in whatever they want to be and go out to explore,” said So. “I have been doing well with my business and I want to give back to the community at a larger scale.” Each show is going to last for about 20 minutes. And people are required to follow social distancing rules and wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Here are the locations and times that So will drop by on Halloween night: 6:45 p.m. — South Arm Park (main parking lot by the pool/playground); 7:35 p.m. — Steveston Park (parking lot where the community policing station is); 8:20 p.m. — King George Park (main parking lot); 9:15 p.m. — Hamilton Community Centre (parking lot). For more information about the show, visit JonnysTowingBC.ca RESOURCE LINK

PHILADELPHIA - Authorities have made an arrest in the 2017 shootings of three Philadelphia tow truck drivers that left two of them dead, sources tell FOX 29. FOX 29's Dave Schratwieser reports Ernest Pressley, 40, has been arrested and is facing a number of charges, including murder, conspiracy, and weapons charges. Back in 2017, all three victims were shot in a span of about 24 hours. At the time, police said all of the shootings were carried out execution-style and were well planned. They were also captured on surveillance video. On Jan. 13, 2017, 28-year-old Khayyan Fruster was killed when he and a co-worker were shot by a suspect police say was lying in wait. His co-worker survived, despite being shot multiple times. 24 hours before Fruster's death, 35-year-old Eric Robinson, another tow truck driver was gunned down outside a bar on the 4500 block of Melrose Street. All three of the victims worked for A-Bob's towing. RESOURCE LINK

A 15-year-old Spring Hill girl died in a Monday afternoon crash where Florida Highway Patrol troopers said a tow truck backed into the path of the car she was riding in. At 3:13 p.m. a Mazda Miata convertible, driven by a 17-year-old boy with the 15-year-old as a passenger, was headed east on County Line Road near Spring Time Street near the Pasco County-Hernando County line, troopers said. A tow truck reversed from a driveway into the street, and the convertible hit its flatbed. The girl died at the scene, troopers said. Neither driver was injured. None of those involved have been named. The Florida Highway Patrol stopped naming those involved in traffic collisions earlier this year due to its interpretation of Marsy’s Law, a constitutional amendment passed in 2018 that was designed to protect victims of crimes but has resulted in agencies withholding information that has long been publicly available. Troopers did not immediately indicate whether anyone would face charges in the crash. RESOURCE LINK

Suspected DUI Driver Careens Into Rohnert Park Police Traffic Stop ROHNERT PARK (CBS SF) — A driver allegedly under the influence careened his vehicle into a late Saturday night traffic stop being conducted by Rohnert Park Police, narrowing missing officers and clipping a tow truck before flipping over several times, authorities said. Rohnert Park police said the incident took place at around 11 p.m. Two officers have conducted a traffic stop and taken a driver into custody. As they were in their patrol car with the suspect, filling out paperwork and awaiting for a tow truck driver to hook up the suspect’s vehicle, another vehicle approached. That vehicle veered off the road, nearly striking an officer and the patrol vehicle, clipped the tow truck and flipped several times onto the embankment before coming to a stop. The driver was evaluated for injuries and was unscathed. However, he did displayed signs and symptoms of being under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. CHP arrived on scene and conducted a DUI Investigation resulting in that driver’s arrest for DUI with a blood alcohol content (of over twice the legal limit. All involved parties of this incident are incredibly lucky to be uninjured. RESOURCE LINK

Body of fatally shot tow truck driver found on Lodge Service Drive on Detroit’s west side DETROIT – The body of a 62-year-old tow truck driver was found Saturday laying on the Lodge Service Drive. According to authorities, the man was found unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds at about 4:30 p.m. near the intersection of the John C Lodge Service Drive and Wyoming Avenue. Emergency medical crews pronounced him deceased at the scene. The investigation is ongoing. RESOURCE LINK

Tow truck driver rushed to hospital after single-car crash in Allen Park ALLEN PARK, Mich. – The driver of a tow truck was rushed to the hospital early Saturday morning after colliding with the eastbound I-94 bridge in Allen Park, according to officials. Michigan State Police say at about 5:35 a.m. the driver lost control of the vehicle while driving southbound on Southfield Freeway. The driver reportedly ran off the road way through the intersection of M-39 and Van Born Road, up the embankment, over a concrete barrier and onto the ramp from westbound I-94 to southbound M-39 before coming to a rest after colliding with the eastbound I-94 bridge. Officials say the driver was trapped in the vehicle and was removed by the fire department. He was then rushed to a hospital and listed in serious, but stable, condition. The westbound I-94 ramp to southbound Southfield Freeway was initially closed for repairs but has been reopened. RESOURCE LINK

The mother of one of the victims in a Lafayette crash that killed two people and seriously injured a third has filed a wrongful death suit against the tow truck driver who authorities say was high on drugs when he veered into oncoming traffic on Route 15. The lawsuit, filed on Sept. 25 in Sussex County Superior Court by the estate of James Ziniewicz of Newton, says Joseph Crilley drove a tow truck "negligently, carelessly and recklessly" the evening of Aug. 5, 2019 when he crashed into Ziniewicz's Honda Civic hatchback. Ziniewicz, 43, was pronounced dead at the scene. Crilley, who lives in Hampton, was arrested 43 days after the crash following the return of toxicology reports that authorities say discovered fentanyl, Xanax, heroin and morphine in his system. Police at the scene said they found multiple wax folds and a glass smoking device inside Crilley's truck. The suit seeks unspecified damages from Crilley and the tow truck company, West Jersey Enterprise, which operates as Hayden's Service Center/Towing in Sparta. It also names the company's president, Christopher Hayden, and vice president, William Kehoe. Attorneys representing West Jersey Enterprise did not immediately respond to a request for comment. No attorney is listed for Crilley, who previously lived in Rockaway Township. The suit follows two filed by the remaining two victims in the crash, both passengers in Ziniewicz's car. The family of Bassirou Diate, 33, who died on Aug. 31, nearly a month following the crash, filed suit on June 9. Alicia Jackson, 31, of Newton, who survived her injuries but was left blinded in one eye, filed in September 2019. Morris/Sussex Assignment Judge Stuart Minkowitz ordered Diate and Jackson's cases consolidated in July. Ziniewicz's attorney is asking for his complaint to join the other actions. The crash occurred around 10:30 p.m. when Crilley, driving a 2012 Isuzu tow truck hauling two cars, crossed the double yellow lines and struck Ziniewicz's car head-on, police said. Crilley told police after the crash that the truck was in "poor working condition," and has argued in court that the braking system failed him. Prosecutors said Crilley, 30, was high on drugs at the time of the crash and the brakes were found to be in working order. Crilley, at the time of his arrest, was on pretrial release for drug-related charges in Passaic County and had already completed the drug court program in Morris County for prior charges. The lawsuit alleges West Jersey Enterprise was negligent in hiring Crilley, a convicted criminal. It also says the defendants are liable for the victim's pain and suffering and wrongful death. Less than a month after the crash, the suit claims, Hayden and Kehoe made a fraudulent transfer by creating a new entity "with the express purpose of wrongfully concealing the assets of West Jersey Enterprise" and to render them free of judgment. Crilley faces six charges in criminal court, including two counts of vehicular homicide. He is expected back in court on Nov. 4. RESOURCE LINK

West Columbia PD arrests 2 men in connection with robbery of tow truck driver WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Two men have been arrested by the West Columbia Police Department following an armed robbery that took place on September 20. Authorities said Javon Emory Jenkins and Jonathan Wesley Scott had their vehicle towed and were dropped off at a UHaul location on Orchard Drive in West Columbia. While they were there, the two men held the tow truck driver at gunpoint, robbed him, and left the scene with items belonging to the driver. Police later identified Jenkins and Scott and found them at 1051 Southern Drive in Columbia. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department searched the apartment and found drugs, money, and several stolen weapons. Both men were arrested and charged with armed robbery, kidnapping, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and criminal conspiracy by the West Columbia Police Department. Additional charges from RCSD are pending. RESOURCE LINK

Morristown police looking for leads after stolen tow truck found engulfed in flames MPD said they found the stolen truck burning Friday morning on River Road in Hamblen County. HAMBLEN COUNTY, Tenn. — The Morristown Police Department is asking for help in an investigation into a stolen tow truck found engulfed in flames. According to MPD, officers began investigating a stolen tow truck belonging to Sunset Towing on Thursday, October 1. The company said the truck below was stolen overnight around 10 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. Officers later found the vehicle burning on River Road in Hamblen County Friday morning. Police said anyone who saw the truck during those hours is asked to call police at (423) 585-1833.

At 1:45pm A Tow Truck with Clyde’s Towing, Fortuna, CA. was involved in Collision on Hwy 36 East of Carlotta, CA. The Tow Truck struck a tree about mile marker 11 on Hwy 36 east of Carlotta, according to emergency personnel on the scene. This occurred following a collision with a second vehicle. The second vehicle reportedly also struck a tree. An air ambulance was also requested. The tow truck driver needs to be extricated from the vehicle. Bridgeville Fire, Carlotta Fire, and Fortuna Ambulance are responding to the scene. An air ambulance was also requested. UPDATE 2:11 p.m.: The tow truck truck driver was extricated. UPDATE 2:39 p.m.: A ground ambulance transported the tow truck driver to a local hospital. He has several broken bones. The air ambulance was canceled. RESOURCE LINK with video

Minor injuries in accident involving tow truck and train. SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Sioux City Police are investigating a collision between a tow truck and a train Tuesday afternoon. It happened just off Lewis Boulevard, at a railway crossing leading to a cold storage facility in the Singing Hills area. Police say the truck driver didn't see the train and the crossing is uncontrolled by lights or crossing arms. The truck driver and one person on the train received minor injuries. RESOURCE LINK

'IT'S A BLESSING FROM THE SKY': Bradford tow truck driver wins $100Gs twice in two months What are the odds of a person winning the same lottery game twice? Well, apparently, they’re one in 1,111,111, according to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. Ninos Barcham, a 39-year-old tow truck driver from Bradford, beat those odds, becoming a repeat lotto winner while playing Encore in a two-month period. “It’s a blessing from the sky,” he told the Toronto Sun on Monday. “It’s amazing. That is crazy.” Barcham bought a ticket for the Daily Grand lotto draw on Sept. 17 and six Encore lines, which snagged him a $100,000 prize. For the April 25 Lottario draw, he spent $8 playing Lottario and $2 on Encore, where he won another $100,000. He claimed that prize in July, according to OLG. Barcham bought both winning tickets at the Circle K convenience store on Hwy. 400 in Maple. “I normally play Encore more than the actual tickets, I’ll be honest,” he said. “I believe you have a better chance of winning Encore than the actual ticket.” RESOURCE LINK

24 hours later and there are still few details available. Images by Shawn N Starr via FB