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Company owner calls for end to ‘first-on-scene’ towing, July 25
Since when did a motorists’s private property become the property of a tow truck operator immediately after a collision?
If I am involved in an accident, I still own my vehicle.
A tow truck or anyone else should not be able to touch my vehicle without my permission.
My car is still my personal property, and I, and no one else, should determine who can tow that property and where my car is towed to.
If I replace my broken kitchen sink, can any plumber who arrives at my house first come into my house and replace my sink without my consent?
Never mind government intervention in this, what happened to consumer choice in who touches my personal property?
I just don’t get it.
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Driver From Greenwich Flees Scene After Crashing Into Fire Hydrant In New Canaan, Police Say
A 45-year-old tow truck driver was arrested after being caught striking a fire hydrant and attempting to flee in Fairfield County, police said.
Greenwich resident Simon Sacremento was caught by a whistleblower at approximately 4:50 p.m. on Monday, July 20 when he drove his tow truck into a fire hydrant on Southwood Drive owned by the Aquarian Water Company, prompting the woman to call the New Canaan Police Department.
Police said that the witness saw Sacremento strike the fire hydrant, damage it, and proceed to flee the scene.
The investigation led police to Sacremento, who turned himself in on Saturday, July 25, where he was arrested and charged with evading responsibility after being involved in an accident involving property damage, a misdemeanor.
Sacremento was released and scheduled to respond back in court on Tuesday, Aug. 25.
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Tyler Laudenslager was a father, a husband, and a firefighter who was struck & killed by a vehicle while he was working as a tow truck driver
The number one problem with Pennsylvania's 'steer clear' law lies in its name, says supporters of a new effort to rename the law to 'move over.'
"First thing I would change is the name," said Jackie Weyandt of H&S Towing Service, moments after she wiped tears from her face as she remembered her co-worker, Tyler Laudenslager.
Laudenslager was a Halifax firefighter, a husband, a father, and a tow truck driver whose life was ended when he was struck by a driver while working on Interstate 78 in Bethel Township July 21st. On Monday outside his towing company, H&S raised an American flag and a flag with a yellow stripe in his honor. Below the two flags, a sign was also placed along the roadway to remind drivers to 'move over.'
"Knowing it as the 'steer clear' law when the other 49 states and District of Columbia refer to it as the 'move over,' that puts us a little behind of the public awareness," said Todd Leiss, Traffic Incident Management Coordinator at the PA Turnpike.
The 'Steer Clear' law requires drivers to move over or slow down when they encounter an emergency scene, traffic stop or disabled vehicle.
Both Leiss and representatives for H&S Towing note, some people who criticize the law also point to the fines that some believe are too low.
"$250 for the first offense; $500 dollars for the second offense for failing to move over, steer clear; a $1000 for the third offense. If a responder is killed it's a $10,000 fine," said Leiss.
Leiss has spoken with Laudenslager's family and has recently added Laudenslager's photo to an interactive map that is meant to raise awareness of line-of-duty deaths caused by vehicles. Laudenslager leaves behind a wife and a 10-month-old child.
The same day Laudenslager lost his life, Leiss noted that there was another accident in Henrietta Township, OH. And, four days later on July 25th there was also a crash in Monroe Township, MS.
As for Weyandt, she said close calls on the roadway still happen far too often.
"I'm telling these guys constantly, watch your back. Watch traffic. Load it up as quickly as you possibly can and get out of there," said Weyandt.
When asked how Laudenslager would have felt knowing that H&S towing was now pushing for changes in the state's 'steer clear' law, Weyandt said she thought he would have been very proud.
"We are a small towing company, so we are all pretty much a family," said Weyandt as she looked back on memories she shared with Laudenslager, including a funny last conversation regarding his work uniform tearing frequently.
"He was one of the good guys," she said. "He was a good one."
Weyandt shared this statement with FOX43:
"People need educated on the Steer Clear Law, better known as the Slow Down, Move Over law. When you see police, fire, EMS, tow truck operators, highway construction or any other services pulled off the side of the road, give them room to work. That is our office. That is our life on the line. There are loved ones waiting for us to come home at the end of the day. Far too many lives are taken because people are in a rush to get nowhere. That phone call or that text is nowhere near as important as the life you could potentially take because you weren't focused on the road ahead of you. Distracted driving, speeding...all ingredients for a devastating loss for someone's family and friends. Tyler Laudenslager's wife will never get to hold her husband's hand again. His daughter will never get to be a daddy's girl. This tragic, senseless death could have easily been avoided had someone not been so careless, so selfish. PLEASE, slow down. Wait to answer that call or text. Move over for those men and women working alongside the roadways. They want to go home too." - Jackie Weyandt , Human Resources Director, H&S Towing Service, Inc
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Gregory, Eddie "Tow Truck" F. aged 73, passed away peacefully while surrounded by family on July 21st, 2020. He is preceded in death by his parents, Minnie and Eddie Sr. and close cousin, Mack Gregory. He is survived by his children; Eddie Ohlson (Kristi), Elisha Long, Scott Gregory (Jamie) and Michael Kriesel along with his 9 grandchildren and his cousin, Phil Gregory. He is also survived by his many friends. Ed was born in Greenville, SC and attended Carolina High School and Anderson University. Anyone who knew Ed knew of his competitiveness and his passion for sports. He especially excelled in baseball and basketball, winning the 1963 South Carolina AA Baseball State Championship. For over 30 years he also refereed both softball and basketball. Ed started a successful towing business over 40 years ago and was known for the license plate on his tow truck, "Say Bye." Ed loved his family very much and was a devoted grandparent. There will be 2 services to celebrate Ed, one in MN and the other in Greenville, SC where he will be buried at Woodlawn Memorial Park next to his parents. Service dates will be announced once finalized. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Eddie's name to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
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On Friday morning, Dean Kesler will get up early, put on his work uniform — dark blue pants and shirt with his name above the pocket — and take on the day.
As owner of his own service center for the last 62-plus years, Dean’s day has always started like that.
But on Friday, it will be different. He will stay home. He may chop some firewood or practice his golf swing. He won’t open up Dean’s at the corner of Indiana 23 and Mayflower Road — just a block and a half from where he and his wife Peg live.
He is finally hanging up his wrench.
But his uniform? “I’m thinking I will wear it for a week or so around the house after I retire,” Dean says.
Why? He may need to ease into this new chapter in his life.
But at 81, he figures he and Peg have some adventures to pursue before they get too old. Maybe a short cruise, a trip to Arizona to visit friends, just some time to enjoy each other’s company. And, hopefully, his 59th straight Indianapolis 500.
When they were dating more than 60 years ago, Dean took Peg to Tower Hill one afternoon. “My dad thought I needed a day off. I had been in business for six months and I hadn’t taken one yet.”
Seven days a week, 12 hours a day.
“I’ve always put my heart into it,” Dean says. “And I’ve always loved my job — especially serving the customers. The customers have always been No. 1. Over the course of a year, I probably deal with 2,000 people.”
He will miss them. They may miss him more.
As word spread that Dean had sold his business and will retire Friday, the cards that have come in and the heartfelt “best wishes” have moistened Dean’s eyes and put a lump in his throat.
“Dean and his employees have taken care of our vehicles for more than 30 years,” John Switzer says. “We’ve always been quite pleased with the work and they’re very cordial guys. We hate to see Dean go but hope he has a great retirement.”
Jim Nagle dropped off one of the cards the other day, thanking Dean for taking care of his cars and reminding him that he kept his three Cadillacs in top shape even after their odometers went well past 200,000 miles.
“I think the women who come in might miss him the most,” says Kathy Lukowski, Dean’s older of two daughters. (Karol Kesler is No. 2.) “He has always treated them sweetly.”
It’s been a great run — but not without one tragic day. On a Sunday morning in 1981, a customer, Glen Tobias, rode his bicycle in to pay his bill. A gunman arrived about the same time and ended up killing Tobias during a robbery attempt after Dean had been forced to the floor.
Dean chased the man down in his tow truck and knocked him to the ground — making sure he stayed there until the police were on the scene and took him into custody.
Dean wiped away the tears and opened his business the next day. His work ethic demanded it. “And Mr. Tobias’s two daughters continued to be loyal customers over the years,” he says.
A 1957 Greene Township High School graduate, Dean grew up working at the grocery store owned by his parents — Orval and Helen Kesler — right beside where his service station is now located. “I started stocking shelves when I was 9 years old,” he says. “I learned about hard work and how to deal with people through watching my parents.”
He opened his first service station in Lakeville when he was 19. He made just $27 that first day and wondered if he was going to make it. That was the first of 180-some straight days of work and things eventually began to brighten. The following year, he moved his business beside his parents’ grocery and he has been there ever since.
He sold gas and fixed tires. He then began adding service bays, started a 24-hour towing service and hired technicians. One of them was a 19-year-old kid named Terry O’Connor. That was 50 years ago. Terry is retiring on Friday, too.
“I used to hang around the station, and Dean eventually offered me a job,” Terry says. “I’m still here. Dean has been a great guy to work with and I think we’ve made a great team.”
In recent years, Dean cut back his work schedule to five days a week — but often still 12 hours a day. That’s probably why he continues to weigh a svelte 135 pounds. “At one point in my life, I was about 5-foot-9,” he says. “I am probably down closer to 5-7 now.”
But on the corner of Indiana 23 and Mayflower Road, he always has stood tall.
“I live down the street from my business and I grew up next door to where Peg and I now live,” Dean says. “I haven’t gone very far.
“And I wouldn’t change a thing.”
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BROOKLYN PARK, Md. — A man who tried to flee from police in a tow truck was captured after fatally running over his passenger, authorities in Maryland said.
Anne Arundel County's fugitive apprehension team surrounded the man Tuesday while he was driving a tow truck with a woman in the passenger seat, police spokeswoman Sgt. Jacklyn Davis said.
The man reversed the truck toward a detective, who fired a single shot but didn't strike anyone, and tried to drive away as the passenger jumped or was thrown from the truck, Davis said. The woman was struck by the back end of the truck and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The man was later apprehended. Davis said the fugitive team had been trying to serve him with a warrant. Now homicide detectives are investigating.
These detectives go "after individuals who have warrants which need to be served," Davis said. News outlets reported that police didn't immediately release any identities or details on the warrant.
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29-year-old from Dauphin County killed in tow truck crash: state police
A Halifax tow truck driver was offering roadside assistance on Tuesday when he was struck and killed during a domino crash in Berks County, Pennsylvania State Police said.
The 29-year-old was “actively engaged” in a call on Interstate 78 near mile marker 14.7 in Bethel Township when the crash took place near around 6:17 p.m., according to a state police report.
The first of the four vehicles involved was traveling west when it veered right, rear-ended a commercial vehicle, the Halifax man’s truck and a second heavy-duty tow truck, authorities said.
The vehicle that caused the chain reaction traveled another two-tenths of a mile before coming to a rest.
Six people were involved, with the youngest being a 9-year-old boy, authorities said.
State police said all four of the occupants of the vehicle that caused the crash were taken to Reading Hospital with moderate to severe injuries.
The Halifax tow truck driver was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity is being withheld while next of kin is notified.
The commercial vehicle’s driver was uninjured.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing. Anyone who may have information or witnessed the incident can call state police at 610-562-6885.
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‘Frightening’: Woman drives wrong way on Hull Street on three wheels, police say
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AAA urges motorists to “Slow Down, Move Over” following recent crashes involving tow truck operators in the Carolinas
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WNCT) – Following recent crashes involving tow truck operators in the area, AAA Carolinas of The Auto Club Group is urging motorists to “Slow Down, Move Over” to help protect emergency workers and law enforcement who are providing assistance to those in need on the roadside.
“Our roadside assistance crews, law enforcement and other emergency personnel risk their lives every day when they pull over alongside moving traffic to help someone in need and we must to do our part to protect them,” said George Figueiredo, Vice President of Member Services of The Auto Club Group in the Carolinas. “Most people aren’t aware that the towing industry is 15 more times deadlier than all other private industries combined and we need to slow down and move over because it’s not only the right thing to do – it’s the law.”
The Move Over law requires motorists – if it is safe to do so – move a lane over for emergency vehicles, utility workers and law enforcement stopped alongside the road.
While all fifty states have Move Over laws, fewer than 30 percent of Americans are aware that the laws exist, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
To protect roadside workers and improve highway safety, AAA offers these precautionary tips:
- Always remain alert. Avoid distractions and focus on the task of driving.
- Maintain a visual lead of everything going on 20 to 30 seconds ahead of you. This gives you time to see problems ahead and change lanes and adjust speed accordingly.
- Emergencies can occur anywhere on the road. When you see flashing lights, slow down, and prepare well in advance to change lanes. Allow others to merge into your lane when necessary.
- Don’t follow semi-trucks or other large vehicles too closely. If a truck moves into a left-hand lane, don’t speed around the right side. They are changing lanes for a reason; be prepared to change lanes yourself.
- When road conditions are slick, don’t make sudden lane changes which can cause an uncontrollable skid. Change lanes early and move over gradually.
- If you are unable to move over, slow down to a safe speed taking into consideration that you are approaching a workspace where pedestrians are present.
- https://www.wnct.com/news/north-carolina/aaa-urges-motorists-to-slow-down-move-over-following-recent-crashes-involving-tow-truck-operators-in-the-carolinas/
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FOLLOW UP STORY:
Vancouver bubble tea shop owners apologize for manager who smashed tow truck window (VIDEO)
The man smashed the tow truck driver's window with a hammer and yelled at him and tells him to, "come here."
The owner of a Vancouver bubble tea shop has issued a statement regarding a violent incident that involved one of its store managers and a tow truck driver.
On July 13, Vancouver Police responded to a report of a man who smashed the window of a Drake Towing vehicle. Cst. Tania Visintin tells Vancouver Is Awesome in an email that police responded to the call just after 11 a.m. in a parking lot at 3490 Kingsway Avenue.
"The suspect was having his car towed from the parking lot when he approached the tow truck and smashed the driver’s side window with a hammer," writes Visintin.
Once police arrived, the suspect was arrested and taken to jail. No one was injured.
In an email to V.I.A. on July 17, the owners of Jenjudan Kingsway write that one of their store managers engaged, "in behaviour that was unacceptable in an incident regarding a tow truck driver."
The owners add that the initial dispute led to a series of "alarming events" that started with the towing of a vehicle off of the establishment's property.
"We want the community to know that Jenjudan does not condone any behaviour of this kind, ever, and that we are deeply surprised and disappointed to see this happen," writes Jenjudan. "We also want to extend our thoughts and sincere apologies to the tow truck driver in this situation and want to express our sincere apology."
Although the incident took place off of company property, the owners say that they have suspended the store manager and advised him to seek professional help. They are also conducting a review of their company training program to ensure that incidents like this do not occur in the future.
A video of the incident has also been shared on Reddit. In it, a man argues with the driver of a Drake Towing vehicle who appears to be towing his car.
At one point, the man smashes the tow truck driver's window with a hammer and begins to yell at him and tells him to, "come here." The tow truck driver tells him to, "move back," and to, "stay away from me."
TowForce has been contacted by a third party that this is a Patrol Towing situation and there was a confrontation prior to this altercation. At that time to Tow Truck which was not capable of transporting the vehicle due to a lack of dollies hooked up to the vehicle. It is unclear if the vehicle was actually transported following the altercation, but it is assumed it was towed.
Note: the situation may have been escalated prior to the video by which party is unclear. However, what was clear from the third party is the Tow Truck Driver could have deescalated to the situation prior to the attack. Does that justify the attack, not in the least. It does serve as a reminder tow truck drivers have a responsibility for both their own safety and the safety of others. This could have turned out much worse!
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It’s a simple action a driver can easily take, and it makes the roads safer for all of us.
“The Move Over Law” goes by different names in different states, but the goal is the same: To offer a greater layer of protection to emergency response and service personnel who are answering calls along the roads.
Law enforcement officials in our region want to make sure motorists understand the importance of the laws, and that’s why the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the West Virginia and Pennsylvania state police once again have joined with the state police agencies in Indiana, Michigan and Kentucky for an education and enforcement campaign across their jurisdictions.
The program is part of the 6-State Trooper Project, and helps to remind drivers about matters of safety.
Depending on the time of the year, the collaboration places emphasis on various aspects or highway safety, including the use of seat belts and the dangers of driving while intoxicated.
In general, move-over laws require drivers to move to an adjacent lane and slow down when approaching a stopped police vehicle, other emergency vehicle (like a fire truck), road service vehicle (like a tow truck), waste collection vehicle, highway maintenance vehicle or public utility commission vehicle when warning lights are activated. When weather or traffic conditions are hazardous, motorists don’t have to pull over — but they must slow down.
A look at statistics from Ohio shows the importance of following the law. Between 2015 and 2019, the patrol reported troopers were involved in 49 crashes that appear to be related to the Move Over law. Those accidents resulted in one civilian death and injuries to 49 officers and civilians.
During that same time, troopers wrote 23,429 Move Over violation citations. In our region, 116 were written in Jefferson County, 240 were written in Belmont County, 238 were written in Columbiana County, seven were written in Harrison County and none were written in Carroll County.
While the 6-State Trooper Project’s special emphasis on moving over began Sunday and will continue through Saturday, we hope all motorists will remember that taking that very simple action whenever they encounter an emergency vehicle can potentially save lives.
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When end of July rolls around, so does William Eubank's 50-years-plus repairing cars in Fredericksburg
When William Eubank shuts down his auto service center in Fredericksburg on July 31, he’ll cap off a half-century of owning and running local businesses that repaired cars, sold gas and towed stranded vehicles.
And if you add in the years Eubank spent pumping gas at various spots in Fredericksburg as a youngster, the hardworking man of few words can tack on another decade or two of serving motorists in and around the city.
“It’s not easy work, but I’ve always liked it,” said Eubank one recent afternoon at his Eubank’s Service Center location at 1510 Princess Anne St. “Working on cars keeps you busy and the day goes by quick. And I liked being my own boss. Work for somebody else? No, I don’t think I would have lasted too long doing that.”
Eubank, the trusted mechanic to generations of some local families, got a chance to operate his own gas station and repair center at what became Eubank’s BP on Princess Anne Street in 1969. The folks who owned the business let him pay for the inventory in the store over time. He was 29.
Eubank is 80 now, and he’s been repairing cars and towing vehicles from different locations in the city since then, with a short stint operating a shop for a while in Caroline County, not far from the Woodford home where he grew up.
“I start pumping gas at a station in the city when I was 9, making $3 a day,” said Eubank with one of the deep laughs long-term customers well recognize. “You can’t get people to work these days for $100 a day!”
Eubank said he enjoyed the afternoons and weekends pumping gas, checking tires and changing oil at a succession of stations, working for a while with his older brother, Jimmy.
He said opening his own shop at the BP station on Princess Anne Street was a big step, but he quickly found a faithful clientele.
Eubank said he learned from watching his brother and others how to make basic automotive repairs, picking up other repair tips simply by doing the work.
“In those days, cars were simpler and the systems in them were mostly the same,” he said, noting that repairing brakes or putting in ignition points were the same whether you were working on a Ford, a Chevy or a Chrysler.
“Back then, you really could tell a lot about what was wrong with a car just by listening to the engine run,” he said.
Something his brother told him early on became the basis for his philosophy of customer service.
“He told me that even if it takes you all day to do a repair, do it right,” he said. “That really stuck with me, and I think it was what people coming back to my business.”
Eubank, who now lives in Stafford County, said at one point, his station was full service 24 hours a day. He eventually cut back, and gas pumps became self-service.
“We stocked a whole line of tires, batteries and other equipment, which really sold well on weekends when other places were shut down,” he said.
The business owner moved his repair service from the BP station to a repairs-only shop in 2005, largely for financial reasons.
“The rent there at that point had gotten up to $5,000 a month,” he said, noting that he could have afforded that “but I didn’t want to put that much money into it.”
Eubank said he once enjoyed was operating a towing service.
“The only trouble with serving the motor club customers was that you had to agree to go out on calls in the middle of the night,” he said, noting that many a call came in the wee hours on nights when snow was falling.
Eubank, whose son Greg learned repairs at his father’s knee and operates Falls Run Car Care just a few blocks down Princess Anne, said he’ll always remember one snowy night when he went out to tow in a stranded car.
“My tow truck broke down as I was towing in the car, and I had to call Greg to come get me with his truck,” said Eubank, wincing at the memory. “It took him a while to get there, and it was one cold mess while we waited.”
The longtime businessman said he always tried to set his prices so he got a decent wage but offered his customers fair prices, and that he just enjoyed figuring out how to turn a car that wouldn’t run into one that did.
“We did everything from changing the oil to putting on tires and more, but I liked repairs the best, getting into a car and fixing it,” he said. “I was glad to have customers who stuck with me, some who have been coming to me for a lot of years.”
For most of the past 15 years, he worked with the same assistant, but he got sick and passed away earlier this year. Eubank said that loss, and his own medical issues, meant it was time to think about closing.
Health concerns have cut back on the work Eubanks has been able to do lately, and his son stops by the shop now and then to assist when necessary. The father may join his son to work at Falls Run Car Care occasionally, but jokingly warned him “not to expect me all that often.”
One thing some of Eubank’s customers are concerned about is what he’ll do with the passel of cats who call his shop home.
Eubank, a cat lover, said he’s found a nice lady in Orange County with a big barn that’s heated in winter. She agreed to take his four-footed friends.
“She’ll come and pick them up when I’m ready to leave,” he said, looking at a few stretched out by the fan in his shop.
“That won’t be much longer now.”
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David Polson posted a memorial notification:
On 7/14/2020, at around 4pm, my tow family and I lost not only a coworker or a friend, but we lost a brother to a tragic accident.
We all wish it was one of us in that truck that day, but fate had other plans. As a fellow operator that is in the field day in and out, dragging the chains across the bed of my truck, I ask that any and all available operators and truck to come help Zack Fennessy family and us at Jim's Towing to give Zack his last call.
On 7/22/2020 at 10am we ask that all operator’s and trucks be present and on standby, Zack’s procession will begin at
6185 Rivers Ave, North Charleston, SC, 29406
That will then lead to
4201 Spruil Ave, North Charleston, SC, 29405
Where Zack’s memorial will be held, at this time Jim’s Towing will lead the procession to
I-26 @ College Park Road
All are welcome to come join us in relieving Zack of his duties. Rest easy brother, we will drag the chains from here.
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Wake County, N.C. — While investigating a crash on Interstate 40, a state trooper's car was struck by another car Saturday night.
A car involved in a previous crash was disabled in the highway near Aviation Parkway and had to be moved with a tow truck. One trooper was training another when a car driven by Sydney Neilson Torrel, 28, of Southern Pines, struck the squad car from behind.
Torrel was charged with driving while impaired, reckless driving, misdemeanor child abuse, a child restraint violation and failure to reduce speed.
State Highway Patrol officials said a 5-year-old girl was in Torrel's car and wasn't wearing a seatbelt when the crash occurred.
Both troopers were taken to Duke University Hospital with minor injuries and released a few hours later.
Torrel and the child were also taken to Duke Hospital with injuries and were stable condition.
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Pa. Attorney General sues to shut down three Philly tow-truck companies he says used pit bulls and threats to ‘extort’ customers
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro on Friday filed a lawsuit seeking to shut down three Philadelphia towing companies that he said repeatedly towed cars that were not illegally parked and demanded that their owners pay cash to get them back.
In one case, an owner was charged more than state law allows, while other owners reported that when they went to retrieve their cars, a pit bull was used to intimidate them and make them pay, according to the suit filed in Common Pleas Court by the attorney general’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
“You can’t just drive off with someone’s car and hold it hostage because you don’t like where they parked it,” Shapiro said in a statement. “Using the authority of a towing service to extort money from Philadelphians is wrong and illegal, and we’re holding these companies accountable.”
Named as defendants are Miguel Caban, 47; Miguel Caban Jr., 26; and their companies: Siani’s Towing & Recovery, Aubry’s Towing, and Angelina’s Towing & Recovery. Each is based at the same address, 3209 Germantown Ave. in North Philadelphia.
A representative of the companies provided a phone number to reach the Cabans, but neither responded to a text message seeking comment about the lawsuit.
The lawsuit alleges that the businesses wrongfully towed cars when they were not illegally parked in some instances, or where signs regulating parking were not clearly and conspicuously displayed.
It also alleges that the owners used tactics “to threaten, intimidate and coerce consumers” so they would not refuse to pay when their vehicles had been illegally towed. Intimidation tactics allegedly included “having pit bulls in the owners’ office when consumers came to pick up their cars.”
Citing the accounts of seven unnamed motorists, the lawsuit also alleges that in certain instances, the businesses demanded cash to release vehicles they had impounded, a violation of city towing laws.
Among the victim stories included in the lawsuit was that of a consumer from Philadelphia who said in January 2019, Siani’s towed her car from her apartment complex despite the proper parking permit being on the window. Three men, two big dogs, and word that the credit card machine was broken greeted the consumer when she went to retrieve her car.
“Consumer felt intimidated,” the lawsuit stated, “so she just paid what they demanded.” That was $205.
An Upper Darby woman whose car was towed by Angelina’s from Allegheny Avenue in Philadelphia in September 2019 complained that her receipt stated that her car was towed from another location, and that when she went to pay $265 to get the vehicle, an employee told her “she only had a few seconds to get out her registration and insurance or he would get the pit bull out.”
The lawsuit asks the court to order the defendants to make full restitution to all consumers who suffered losses; and to pay civil penalties of $1,000 for each violation of the Consumer Protection Law, which will increase to $3,000 for each violation involving victims age 60 or older.
In addition, the lawsuit seeks an order “permanently enjoining the defendants, in any capacity, from doing business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania involving towing or storage of motor vehicles, and ordering defendants to forfeit their right to engage in such trade and commerce within the commonwealth.”
The case is not the first Shapiro has brought over towing practices in Philadelphia. In March 2018, the attorney general announced that another towing company had agreed to pay $13,700 in fines and restitution after an investigation found that it had illegally towed 28 cars in the city.
Shapiro said the George Smith towing company, owned by Anthony D’Angelo, illegally towed the cars from various locations in the city, and each of the 28 owners had to pay $205 to get the car back.
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Police have forwarded charges of assault with a weapon, uttering threats, mischief and possession of a dangerous weapon to Crown for review.
Vancouver Police say they responded to a report of a man who smashed the window of a Drake Towing vehicle Monday morning.
Cst. Tania Visintin tells Vancouver Is Awesome in an email that police responded to the call just after 11 a.m. in a parking lot at 3490 Kingsway Avenue.
"The suspect was having his car towed from the parking lot when he approached the tow truck and smashed the driver’s side window with a hammer," writes Visintin.
Once police arrived, the suspect was arrested and taken to jail.
Thankfully, no one was injured in the altercation.
A video of the incident has also been shared on Reddit by seansethi81. In it, a man argues with the driver of a Drake Towing vehicle who appears to be towing his car.
At one point, the man smashes the tow truck driver's window with a hammer and begins to yell at him and tells him to, "come here." The tow truck driver tells him to, "move back," and to, "stay away from me."
Another individual also repeatedly tells the man who is yelling at the tow truck driver to, "calm down."
The final frame of the video shows the man that was yelling being arrested.
Police have forwarded charges of assault with a weapon, uttering threats, mischief and possession of a dangerous weapon to Crown for review.
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A Philadelphia man is being hailed an "instant hero" for his quick work rescuing a woman who was drowning in the water at the beach in Wildwood.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A Philadelphia man is being hailed an "instant hero" for his quick work rescuing a woman who was drowning in the water at the beach in Wildwood.
Officials say the woman would not be alive if not for his selfless act.
Tyree Ward says anyone would have done it, but emergency officials say not everyone is so selfless or brave.
This all happened last night in Wildwood at the beach near Baker Avenue, just after 8 pm.
It was late and there were no lifeguards on duty.That's when Tyree heard screaming. A woman was crying out that her friend was drowning.
He dropped his towel and phone and jumped in.
"I thank God that He put me there," Ward says. "Everything just happened the way it did. Nobody but the Lord that that put me in that place."
He hopes this will inspire others to look beyond themselves.
"Somebody has to do something," he says. "You just jump in and you just have to follow your gut sometimes."
Tyree is an auto mechanic and tow truck driver from West Oak Lane.
He was on the beach with his family when this happened.
He was able to swim far out to the 20 year-old-woman and bring her to shore. Emergency crews met them close to the shore and jumped in to help.
"He saved her life, absolutely," says Wildwood Fire Chief Ernie Troiano III. " When time is of the essence, his timing was impeccable. He was truly in the right place the right time, and he had what it took to get the job done. He didn't hesitate. He didn't wait to call for help. He sprung into action and it was truly a lifesaving measure."
The Wildwood Fire Department presented Ward with tokens of their appreciation.
They are grateful, reminding everyone of the dangers of swimming without a lifeguard and reminding us that there won't always be a Tyree Ward to swim in and save us. They say the world needs more people like him. -
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police rescued a mini horse from the Back of the Yards neighborhood Monday afternoon.
Police said an officer on patrol saw the miniature horse tied to a tow truck in a vacant lot. The horse had no access to food and no access to water, and was not in the shade.
A 30-year-old man who police said owned the horse was taken into custody and charged with one misdemeanor count of violating animal owner duties.
No further details have been released. Police have not said whose care they have released the horse into. -
Tow truck driver killed on the job remembered by colleagues
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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – A tow truck driver was hit and killed while on the job near the town of Fletcher on Wednesday.Bernardo Martinez worked at Sergio’s Towing Service since October.“This guy was a solid, just genuine, great, honest guy, and a good worker,” colleague Cody Ceballos said.He says they were trying to reach Martinez on Wednesday when they noticed his truck wasn’t moving on the company’s GPS tracker.“We kept calling him, kept calling him, kept calling him, just no answer,” Ceballos said. “We’re watching the GPS, we’re glued to the GPS tracker.”
Unfortunately, their worst fear came true when police confirmed Martinez had been hit and killed.Nick Ragsdale with Ragsdale Wrecker Service, who’s also a spokesperson for the ‘Slow Down and Move Over’ campaign, says tow truck drivers are a tight-knit community.
“It keeps in the back of your mind, but when it hits home close like this, it’s pretty rough,” he said. “At the end of the day, we’re all trying to make it home to our families, and try to make a little bit of a living while we’re at it.”Both Ragsdale and Ceballos are reminding drivers to slow down and move over for anyone stopped on the side of a road.“We lost a really good driver there because of a senseless reason. Wasn’t even busy part of the highway,” Ceballos said.
Martinez leaves behind a wife, four children and two grandchildren.“He had such a big heart,” Wife remembers tow truck driver killed on the jobOKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The wife of a tow truck driver killed on the job remembers him as someone who would go out of his way to help people.
Bernardo Martinez tragically died while working near Fletcher last Wednesday.
A driver hit Martinez as he was loading a truck onto his wrecker, throwing him into a ditch.
“It’s was the most horrible thing we could’ve ever experienced,” Mayra Martinez, Bernardo’s wife, said. “We keep expecting him to come home, and we keep checking the front door, just waiting for it to open and him to come through and he doesn’t. It’s just becoming more and more real.”
She says her husband was someone you’d want to know.
“Anytime you would ever need something, he would be there, with an encouraging word, or just to listen to you, help you out, help you fix your car, help you fix your house, just anything, because that was just part of him,” she said.
Bernardo leaves behind four children and two grandchildren.
Family and faith were two things important to him.
“He wanted to give his kids the world,” Mayra said.
He also had a love for his job. He’d worked at Sergio’s Towing Service since October.
“He was very proud about being a tow truck driver, because he would go out there and help people and that was just part of him, that he had such a big heart,” Mayra said. “He would stop by when he was driving and he’d give food to the homeless, he’d give money to them, he’d help give people rides if he saw someone walking in the rain.”
She says she hopes the tragedy serves as a reminder for drivers to slow down and move over for tow truck drivers.
“When we have a flat tire or our car stalls on the side of the road, they’re the ones that are risking their lives out there to help us, to help everything,” she said.
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CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The funeral for the tow truck driver who died following a crash on the Don Holt Bridge is Saturday.
Authorities say the tow truck diver William Ellis of North Charleston died as a result of a crash on the bridge on July 1. Deputies say he was helping the driver of a disabled vehicle when it happened.
The memorial parade in honor or Ellis is expected to take place following the funeral. More than 100 tow-truck drivers and others from the community are expected to participate.
The funeral will take place at noon at Faith Tabernacle Church of Zion on Dorchester Road on July 11.
Organizers say participants will drive over the Don Holt bridge as a way to pay their respects and end the parade at the burial site.
The family wants the community to know that Ellis was a devoted father and grandfather who loved his family and people of all walks of life. They say he was an outgoing, loving and caring soul who worked hard as an entrepreneur in a wide range of businesses. In addition to owning his roadside assistance business, Ellis' family says he had owned several Thai restaurants throughout the state, and was an entertainment promoter and manager.
The family says Ellis was also known for his great sense of humor, he loved debating and would help anyone in their time of need. They say he will be deeply missed.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. No charges have been filed in connection to the case.
A friend of Ellis says they are pushing for law enforcement to enforce the Move Over Law in South Carolina. The law requires drivers to slow down or move over a lane to give space for emergency responders and people at the scene of emergency incidents including tow trucks on the side of the road.
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FRAZIER PARK, CA (Monday, July 6, 2020 at 1:36 p.m.)—[updated] A pickup truck with camper that was being towed by Panorama Towing caught fire just after 1 p.m. while eastbound on Frazier Mountain Park Road, just east of Cuddy Canyon Road. Cuddy Valley resident Rob Eubank was there when the fire erupted, and made a video of Kern County Fire Department engines 56 and 357 extinguishing the blaze in about 10 minutes, including a small grass fire that started.
Eubank said there were some small explosions in the camper, but the gas tank did not exolode. There were some melted lights on the tow truck and roadside foliage sparks, but those were extinguished quickly and that appeared to be the limit of the damage, Eubank said. The tow truck, he reported, had been asked by the sheriff’s office to take the camper for impound.
Tower Down 07.30.20 (CA)
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Tow truck driver and stranded motorist killed in crash on I-15 freeway near Baker
BAKER, Calif. (VVNG.com) — A tow truck driver helping a stranded motorist were both killed in a traffic accident along the 15 freeway early Thursday morning near the town of Baker.
It happened at about 5:17 AM on July 30, 2020, on the southbound 1-15, south of Rasor Road.
According to a California Highway Patrol news release, a 23-year-old Apple Valley man was driving a 2013 Freightliner, hauling two bottom-dump trailers at speeds of 55 miles per hour. “For reasons still under investigation, the driver allowed the truck tractor-trailer combination to leave the #2 lane and travel onto the west shoulder of Interstate 15 southbound,” stated the CHP release.
At this time, a 43-year old male tow truck driver from Barstow, associated with a 2004 GMC tow truck, was providing assistance to a 39-year old male from Cleveland, Ohio, with a flat tire on a 2002 Chevrolet.
CHP said the GMC tow truck and the Chevrolet occupied by a female and two juveniles were both parked on the right-hand shoulder of the freeway.
“Due to the truck driver’s unsafe turning movement, the Freightliner collided with the GMC,” stated CHP officials. “Due to the Freightliner colliding with the GMC, the GMC collided into the 43-year old male and 39-year old male, causing them to suffer fatal injuries.”
The GMC continued in a southerly direction and collided with the Chevrolet. After the collision, the Freightliner came to rest in the dirt center divider partially blocking the #1 lane, the GMC and Chevrolet came to rest in the open desert terrain west of Interstate 15.
The 41-year old female and two juveniles from Granada Hills were transported by San Bernardino County Fire for precautionary reasons to Barstow Community Hospital.
The Apple Valley man was not injured as a result of the collision. CHP said alcohol and/or drugs are not suspected to be a contributing factor in this collision.
The identities of the 43-year old male and 39-year old male pronounced deceased at the scene will be released by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s-Coroner office pending notification of next of kin.
Anyone with information is asked to call the California Highway Patrol Barstow office at (760) 255-5900.
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