TowNews

Tow trucker Driver finds 2-year-old child wandering streets of Naugatuck Police responded to Ward Street Friday morning on calls of a wandering 2-year-old child. A tow truck driver was said to be the first person to see the child walking around barefoot in pajamas. Eventually, Naugatuck police and several neighbors were able to find the home of the child and his parents.

The victims is a tow truck driver for his brothers tow company and was in his own pickup truck and not a tow truck at the time of the incident according to reports. This is a very tragic and unfortunate outcome to was was most likely some type of gang activity. While this did not involve a tow truck it is still a sad loss of a tow truck driver. Keep your heads down and watch who you associate with, no one needs friends like this...

Shooting in Etobicoke leaves 23-year-old man dead Toronto police's homicide unit is investigating after a 23-year-old man was fatally shot in Etobicoke Thursday evening. Emergency crews were called to an apartment building near Panorama Court and Kipling Avenue, just north of Finch Avenue West, at around 7:42 p.m. for the sound of gunshots. Toronto police Duty Insp. Paul Rinkoff told reporters at the scene that the victim was located in a tow truck, suffering from at least one gunshot wound. The man was transported to a trauma centre, where he was later pronounced dead. Investigators are currently in the process of notifying the next of kin, Rinkoff said. It is unknown whether the incident is connected to an ongoing tow truck turf war in the region, but Rinkoff said it is something investigators will be looking into. He said it is not clear if the victim was shot while he was in the tow truck. No suspect information has been released, but police said there were reports of three males fleeing the area on foot. “I can’t give you any information on suspects right now, but as soon as there is information, we will provide that to the public,” Rinkoff said. Police are appealing to anyone with further information regarding the shooting to come forward and contact investigators or Crime Stoppers anonymously. RESOURCE LINK with video

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Area tow truck drivers showed their softer side, as over two dozen of them gathered to give back to kids in the community this holiday season. For 12 years now, Charles Norton, owner of Norton’s Tow Squad, has rallied all his tow truck driver friends and encouraged them to buy gifts which they deliver to Youth Service Inc. He said tow truck drivers get a bad rap but events like Tows For Tots help their reputation: “This is one time of the year we all come together,” Norton explained. “And there’s no fighting, no argument. There’s no competing about business. The only thing they compete about is, I can bring more gifts than you can!” Youth Service Inc. helps provide shelter for children who don’t have permanent homes, according to executive director Gwendolyn Bailey, who added they serve about 4,000 children that could use a little help this time of year. “There are obstacles not of their doing where circumstances were created where they just could not stay connected to family,” she said, “and so we do whatever we can to make sure that especially during this high emotional season that they have some happiness.” Since partnering with Tows for Tots, Bailey shared they were able to provide at least one present for each child in their program. She said they’ve come to rely on these tow truck drivers over the years who liters bring truck loads of gifts for the YSI kids. “During this particular time which is at the end of the month, you know, when your income may be exhausted,” she said, “it’s a huge boost to a family to see that there are so many people being kind.” RESOURCE LINK

One dead, four injured during early morning Garrison, KY shooting GARRISON, KY (WOWK) – The Kentucky State Police, Post 8 Morehead continue to investigate a shooting that injured four and killed one early this morning in Garrison. Police arrested Michael Justice, 47, of Garrison, for one count of murder and four counts of assault in the first degree. Troopers received the call reporting a shooting occurring on Kinney Road at approximately 12:28 a.m., Wednesday, May 13. After further investigation, police say they determined the five individuals were in the process of repossessing a 2004 Chevy Silverado, resulting in a dispute between Justice and the individuals. Medical officials transported Thompson Biggs-Cox, Aaron Cottrell and Bonnie Dalton, all of of West Portsmouth, Ohio, to area hospitals for gunshot wounds received during the dispute. Kari Biggs of West Portsmouth also received a gunshot wound but refused treatment at the scene. Tony Gados, the Lewis County Coroner, pronounced Bryan Biggs, 37, also of West Portsmouth dead at the scene. The Kentucky State Police was assisted by the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department, Vanceburg Police Department, Lewis County Coroner’s Office, Black Oak Fire Department, Vanceburg Fire Department, Garrison Fire Department and Portsmouth Ambulance Service. This incident remains under investigation by Kentucky State Police, Post 8 Morehead. https://www.wowktv.com/news/kentucky/one-dead-four-injured-during-early-morning-garrison-kentucky-shooting/ Obituary Bryan Ray Biggs Sr., 37 of West Portsmouth died Tuesday, May 12, 2020. He was born April 5, 1983 in Marion, Ohio to Arnold Ray and Brenda Kay Franklin Biggs. He was preceded in death by Grandpa and Grandma Biggs, Grandpa and Grandma Franklin, a nephew, Joseph Journey, and a great niece, Matilyn Gills. He was an employee of Ted’s Towing for over the last six years. He loved demolition derby’s, fishing, and spending time with friends and family. Along with his parents, Bryan is survived by his wife, Kari Lynn Craig Biggs, 3 sons; Bryan Ray Biggs Jr., Bryan Paul Biggs, and Emmitt Lee Biggs, a daughter, Alyssa Biggs, a sister, Angel (Matt) Journey, nieces and nephews; Ashlee (Brandon) Gills, Latisha Journey, Scottie Journey, Halie Bays, Isaiah Bays, Brayden Bays, and Harrison Beach, and great nieces and nephews; Shawn Howard, Devin Fitzpatrick, Kason Gills, Karson Davis, and Kennlee Journey. Arrangements are under the direction of the Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth. Due to health restrictions private services will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the funeral home. Friends are encouraged to reach out to the family through our condolence page at www.rogerwdavisfuneralhome.com. Bryan Biggs worked for Driver at Ted's Towing & Auto Repair AAA The Owner of the company posted: Bryan Biggs was shot and killed doing a repo for another company last night. He worked for us for 6 years. On his nights off he would go help another company repo. Bryan was one of the hardest workers we have and will be greatly missed. Update from Ted's Towing: Please Share!! We at Ted’s Towing had nothing to do with the situation that happened last night. It was Bryan’s night off. He was working for another towing company doing repos. I hate to post this in the middle of a travesty but I’m getting none stop calls and texts. Please let everyone know that Ted’s Towing was not involved in any way!!! Bryan was like a brother to us. In no way Am I trying distance ourselves from him. He was one of the hardest workers we have ever had. There is no way we will be able to replace him. I’m sorry if I came off like I don’t care. That is in no way how I feel. We love you Bryan. Rest In Peace.

Tow Truck Stolen In Cleveland, 2 Police Cruisers Struck Cleveland police said someone stole a tow truck, with a car attached, and then hit two police cruisers on Tuesday night. CLEVELAND — Officers are searching for the persons who stole a tow truck and hit two police cruisers on Tuesday night, Cleveland police announced. The tow truck has since been recovered. At 10 p.m. on Tuesday, on E. 79th St., someone stole a tow truck with a car strapped to its back. The suspect then hit a Cleveland Clinic police car and a Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority police car. One officer in each car was injured, according to Cleveland police. The car attached to the tow truck was found flipped over on E. 110th and Hulda Ave. The tow truck was then found on Mt. Auburn Ave. RESOURCE LINK

Please take a moment to wish Clarissa all the best as she celebrates 27 years. The Face to Face Party may be on hold but the we can surely show here our support within a TowForce topic. Had your reply her adding any comments about how you first met Clarissa. If you have never met the publisher at TT Publications Inc. aka TowTimes add your congrats and get to know her through the responses of others here.

13-year-old killed in multi-vehicle crash involving 20 people in Baldwin Park Twenty people were involved in a multi-vehicle collision in Baldwin Park Sunday, leaving a 13-year-old dead. Angel Jesus Aragon was driving a tow truck eastbound on the the 10 Freeway, west of Francisquito Avenue around 1:45 p.m., and did not stop in time for oncoming traffic, California Highway Patrol said in a news release. Aragon, 32, crashed into a white Toyota Corolla with one person inside. In attempting to avoid the collision, Aragon also hit the back of a gray 2018 Nissan Murano, which was occupied by five people. The Nissan collided into the center divider wall, and a Dodge Ram crashed into the right side of the Nissan, CHP said. A 13-year-old sitting in the right side of the backseat of the Nissan died in the crash, according to CHP. The Toyota Corolla was then pushed into the back of a blue Kia Nero, which in turn, hit the back of white Honda Odyssey that then collided into a blue Honda CRV. The CRV then hit a silver Toyota Corolla, which collided into the back of the flatbed tow truck. A white Lexus was unable to stop in time and hit the front of the Nissan Murano. All lanes of the 10 Freeway were closed around 1:50 p.m.and a Sig Alert was issued as a Los Angeles County paramedic helicopter landed on the freeway. The carpool lane reopened at 2:40 p.m. and the Sig Alert ended around 6 p.m., according to CHP. Involved parties were taken to USC Medical Center with minor to major injuries. RESOURCE LINK

Mid-morning blaze may be latest in series of violent incidents in industry https://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/9973010-latest-tow-truck-fire-in-markham-driveway-deemed-suspicious-/

An Atlanta woman is facing criminal charges after she reportedly ran over the foot of a local business owner. Tuesday evening, police were called to Orr’s Wrecker Service after receiving information a woman had damaged property with her car. The owner of the business said he witnessed the driver, identified as Brenna Alexis Smith, back into a pole, nearly striking several people in the parking lot. After calling 911, the owner reportedly attempted to talk to the driver, who requested for the police not to get involved and offered the owner $200. The owner declined the offer and and ran over his foot while trying to leave, according to Col. James Yarbrough with the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office. Smith then drove through the front yard of the property, through a fence and off a retaining wall before speeding off down Highway 29, according to the report. Deputies intercepted Smith near Newnan South Industrial and took her into custody without incident. Smith reportedly told police she was attempting to turn around in the parking lot when she was approached by the business owner who was cursing at her. While helping Smith search for her driver’s license, deputies found a device used to inhale nitrous oxide. Smith reportedly admitted to using the drug the day before. Smith, 23, was charged with aggravated assault and criminal damage to property. RESOURCE LINK

Before lawsuit, tow truck driver had history of skirting the law https://www.wbtv.com/2020/05/06/before-lawsuit-tow-truck-driver-had-history-skirting-law/ NC Attorney General Sues Charlotte Towing Company Accused of Price Gouging https://www.wccbcharlotte.com/2020/05/06/nc-attorney-general-sues-charlotte-towing-company-accused-of-price-gouging/

Tennessee man arrested in Lexington after high speed chase on Wednesday A Tennessee man has been arrested after a multi-county high speed chase in a rollback tow truck that ended at the Lexington Golf Course on Wednesday morning. According to Trooper Ned Moultrie with the North Carolina Highway Patrol, at 8:48 a.m. Wednesday a Highway Patrol trooper attempted a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 601 in Davie County. The tow truck driver failed to stop and a chase ensued into Rowan County and then Davidson County. The vehicle continued down U.S. Highway 64 into Lexington on Center Street to Weaver Drive into the country club area. Officers were able to apprehend the suspect without incident on Country Club Boulevard just past the Lexington Golf Course Clubhouse, when the driver drove onto the golf course. The driver was identified as Thomas Richard Weinblatt with a last known address in Tennessee. Moultrie said no officers or residents were injured during the incident, although two patrol cars and a parked vehicle were damaged during the chase. Law enforcement deployed stop sticks on several occasions, which resulted in deflating the tires of the vehicle, but the driver continued to flee. J.J Fashimpaur, manager of the Lexington Golf Course, said due to the current COVID-19 restrictions there was less than normal foot-traffic and luckily no one was in the roadway at the time of the chase. “We were very lucky because normally this would be our busiest time of the morning and there would have been a lot of people crossing here,” Fashimpaur said. The tow truck had a logo for Davis Towing of Asheville. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, including a possibility the vehicle was stolen. Weinblatt is facing charges of felony speeding to allude, felony assault on a government official, driving while impaired, careless and reckless driving, as well as, several traffic offenses. Responding agencies were the North Carolina Highway Patrol, Davidson County Sheriff’s Department and Lexington Police Department. RESOURCE LINK

A1 Towing Solutions owner David Satterfield is facing a lawsuit filed by the North Carolina Attorney General's Office for price gouging during the pandemic. (Source: WBTV) CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - A Charlotte tow truck driver who has been the subject of numerous WBTV Investigations is being sued by the North Carolina Attorney General for price gouging after booting and towing tractor trailers during the pandemic. The complaint alleges that A1 Towing Solutions owner David Satterfield was charging truck drivers upwards of $4,000 after booting their vehicles and, in some cases, booting on properties where he did not have a contract to operate. A Superior Court judge already placed a temporary restraining order against Satterfield declaring that he can only tow and boot vehicles if he has express permission from the property owner to remove those specific vehicles. This is far from the first time Satterfield has run into problems with the law. - In March of 2019 Satterfield admitted to WBTV he had a suspended license while he was running another towing company called Automobile Recovery and Parking Enforcement. Satterfield claimed he was not towing vehicles himself even though WBTV caught him driving on-camera. - On two occasions in 2019 Satterfield faced charges for assaulting drivers after pepper spraying them. In October 2019 he was arrested for assault. WBTV tried reaching Satterfield at the number listed for A1 Towing Solutions and his old company ARPE but the number was disconnected. RESOURCE LINK

RICHMOND, Va. -- No injuries were reported after a tow truck drove into the side of a Richmond glass shop on Tuesday. Around 2:50 p.m., police say that the driver of a tow truck had a medical issue, lost control of the truck, and crashed into the side of Able Glass Services of Richmond in the 2000 block of Chamberlayne Parkway. No other individuals were involved in the crash. RESOURCE LINK

AMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Three people were injured when a tow truck collided with a vehicle on the Howard Frankland Bridge early Tuesday morning. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver of the tow truck was heading north on Interstate 275 when he lost control of the vehicle and hit a pickup truck that was parked in a construction lane on the outside shoulder. The impact sent both vehicles across the roadway. The 49-year-old driver of the pickup was seriously hurt, while the other driver and a passenger in the truck suffered minor injuries. The driver’s current condition is unknown. Further information was not immediately available. RESOURCE LINK

There is no confirmation and few details or if this was a Tow Operator. Man shot on Woodland Street; police arrest suspect A man was shot in the back Monday evening in the 500 block of Woodland Street and county police later arrested the alleged shooter, according to Glynn County police and jail records. Jeremy Shane Davis, 39, was arrested early Tuesday morning and taken to the Glynn County Detention Center, charged with aggravated battery and possession of a firearm in the commission of a crime, according to police and jail records. Davis is listed as homeless in the county jail intake records. Police responding to a 6:43 p.m. call of a shooting in the 500 block of Woodland Street arrived to find the victim lying face down on the ground with a bullet in his back, the county police report said. The victim is a tow truck operator, according to social media reports. Police also found on the scene "a wooden fence and mailbox destroyed as if it had been hit by a vehicle," according to a report. "There were also deep furrow marks in the front yard," the report said. Police were able to get an identification of the shooter at the scene. Davis was later picked up by county police and booked into the county jail at 1:30 a.m., jail records show. RESOURCE LINK Press Release from Glynn County Police:

Tow truck driver killed in rollover crash on I-69 in Calhoun County FREDONIA TWP., MI – A tow truck driver was killed Monday afternoon when he lost control of his truck on I-69 and the vehicle rolled into a ditch, police say. Rescue crews were called at 4:40 p.m. Monday, May 4, to southbound I-69 near F Drive South in Fredonia Township, Calhoun County, for a single-vehicle rollover crash involving a flat-bed tow truck, according to the Michigan State Police. Crews discovered the driver and sole occupant of the truck, a 36-year-old Ft. Wayne, Indiana man, suffered fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. A preliminary investigation indicates the man lost control of the truck after one of its tires suddenly popped, which led the vehicle toward the ditch, where it rolled multiple times, police said. Southbound I-69 was shut down for several hours while police investigated and wreckage was cleared from the scene, police said. The crash remained under investigation. The man’s name was being withheld pending notification of his family police said. RESOURCE LINK FREDONIA TOWNSHIP, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) -- A 36-year-old Fort Wayne, IN, man died while driving south on I-69 when a tire blew, according to Michigan State Police officials. Police called to the scene just before 4:45 p.m. Monday, May 4, 2020, found a flat-bed tow truck, which had rolled several times before stopping in a ditch. The Indiana man, the truck's driver and only occupant, was dead at the scene. He had been southbound on I-69 near F Drive South, in Calhoun County's Fredonia Township, when the crash happened. The crash investigation and clean-up caused southbound I-69 to close for several hours. The victim's name is being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin and further investigation of the crash, according to police. RESOURCE LINK

1 injured after crash involving suspected drunk driver on WB I-94 at Telegraph (WXYZ) — Westbound I-94 was closed for hours at Telegraph Road due to a crash early Monday morning. Michigan State Police say that troopers were dispatched to the freeway at Ecorse for an injury crash. Preliminary investigation revealed that a Ford Mustang broke down on the shoulder of I-94. Police say a tow truck was on scene getting ready to tow the Mustang when the driver of a Ford Focus drove onto the shoulder and reportedly struck the rear of the Mustang and pushed it into the tow truck. The driver of the Mustang was trapped inside and had to be cut out of the car. He was transported to the hospital via survival flight. The driver of the Focus was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated. Police say there were no other injuries in the crash. RESOURCE LINK

05.03.2020: A Charcoal Gray Dodge 5500 Wrecker was STOLEN from Fulp’s Wrecker Service on Patterson Ave in Winston Salem, NC. No Details other then this Police-Chase occurred somewhere between Mooresville and Salsbury, North Carolina No Resource Link (Video credit to Terry Morton of Kannapolis, NC)

Police identify man struck, killed Saturday night in Springfield SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A man was killed Saturday night around after getting hit by a tow truck driver in north Springfield. Police say Matthew Canovi, a 63-year-old resident of Brighton, Missouri, died at the scene as a result of the crash. The crash happened around 9:30 p.m. on U.S. Highway 65 Northbound and Chestnut Expressway. Springfield police tell KY3 News that a driver called for help, the tow truck responded and while on scene, there was a "terrible accident," and the tow truck driver ended up running over someone. Police say an Affordable Towing tow truck, driven by 29-year-old Alan Goodkin of Springfield, was on the northbound shoulder of U.S. Highway 65, just north of the Chestnut Expressway overpass. As Goodkin began to reverse the tow truck to load another car, Canovi was standing on the shoulder of US Highway 65 and struck. Police say impairment does not seem to be a factor. This is the fifth fatality motor vehicle crash in Springfield in 2020. Next of kin have been notified. Officers continue to investigate the crash. RESOURCE LINK

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A person was killed Saturday night around 10:30 after getting hit by a tow truck driver. The accident happened on Highway 65 North and Chestnut Expressway in Springfield. Springfield police tell KY3 News that a driver called for help, the tow truck responded and while on scene, there was a terrible accident, and the tow truck driver ended up running over someone. No names have been released and officers said they could not answer any further questions until the investigation is complete. RESOURCE LINK

A woman yelled at a tow truck driver Friday afternoon and continued to text him obscenities after he dropped off her vehicle in the alley as she requested in the 500 block of Alegre Vista Drive, according to a police report. The report says the woman started to yell at him when she noticed the vehicle in the alley around 2:46 p.m. and then told the driver she wanted it placed in the carport. The driver told officers he offered to push it into the carport if he had someone to help him. The woman’s husband came out and saw what was going on, then pushed the driver with one arm, according to the report. The driver said he didn’t feel safe so he left and made a report. The report says he called officers from a different location and that the woman continued to text him obscenities and call him until he blocked her phone number. RESOURCE LINK

HURON — Glenn Carlson, 81, of Huron, passed away April 28, 2020, at Avantara-Huron. Due to Covid-19, a private family funeral service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, with burial at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery. The funeral service will be streamed live on the Kuhler Funeral Home Facebook page, at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 2. Glenn Wallace Carlson was born February 22, 1939, on a farm near Stockholm, to A. Leonard and Hazel (Steffensen) Carlson. Glenn attended a rural school, while living on the farm near Stockholm and graduated in 1957 from South Shore High School in South Shore. On June 5, 1960, Glenn married Sharon Lee Wendt at the Evangelical United Brethern Church in Twin Brooks. To this union, three children were born, Kimberly, Kristie and David Carlson. Glenn, upon graduating from high school, worked first at the South Shore Creamery and later the ASCS office in Huron, mowing bin sites. After moving to Huron, he worked as a mechanic for Johnson DX. In 1964, he started his own business in a two stall Texaco station on the junction of Hwy 37 and 14, selling gas and also doing mechanic work. It was one of 33 gas stations in Huron at the time, mostly owned by oil companies. He enlarged the business several times to accommodate his increasing business and changing brands of fuel, as one after another of the oil companies left the small towns and other major companies replaced them. He also had a mail route from the government offices in the Christen-Hohm building to the post office, five days a week for several years starting around 1967. He was a partner in a rental business called Dakota Rental in 1968 for several years. He also became a dealer for E-Z Haul truck and trailers and later U-Haul equipment in 1970. In 1971, he bought the wrecker service and did 24-hour towing until he retired and sold the business to his son, David in 2001. Glenn had great pride in his grandkids and followed all six of them to whatever sport they were playing or parade they were marching in, from the Citrus Bowl to the Fiesta Bowl parades and all over the Midwest for baseball, football, basketball, volleyball and track. He was an avid fisherman and loved car races as well. His racing started as a pitman for a friend and then he owned a modified #73 and also drove a hobby stock in 1976. He was thrilled that Dave decided he was going to race and followed him three nights a week to local tracks since 2008. More can be found at https://plainsman.com/article/glenn-carlson-81-of-huron

Tow truck operators in Ontario are seeking a reduction in monthly commercial auto insurance premiums as fewer cars on the roads during the novel coronavirus outbreak have left drivers sitting idle. Last month, two major insurers – Aviva Canada and Intact Financial Corp. – announced financial relief for customers with commercial vehicles. The measures include premium rebates, allowing customers to reduce coverage limits and flexible payment terms. But in order to receive rebate credits, many policies require vehicles to be parked for a minimum of 30 days, which towing companies say is not a viable option for their sector. As a result, the majority of tow truck companies in Ontario are left paying thousands of dollars in monthly premiums when business is at an all-time low. “Failure to reduce insurance premiums now for towers during the COVID-19 pandemic could have a catastrophic impact on their future viability and service,” said Mark Graves, president of the Provincial Towing Association of Ontario (PTAO). The PTAO, which represents more than 180 towing and recovery companies in Ontario, has reached out to insurers as well as government officials and industry associations to address the hole in insurance relief. The relief measures offered by Intact for commercial trucking clients – which include tow truck operators – include: premium adjustments for small and medium-sized businesses that are now closed or have seen business severely affected, premium adjustments for vehicles stored or used in different ways and suspending coverage for trucks and trailers while they are idle or parked. Meanwhile, Aviva Canada announced in a letter on April 16 that commercial auto insurance policy holders could receive premium rebates if their vehicles have been taken off the road. But Mr. Graves said a large percentage of tow truck operators do not qualify for a reduction in coverage because they finance their truck purchases and the leasing agreements do not allow them to remove insurance coverage even if they are parked. As well, smaller companies are not able to simply park a portion of their fleet because each truck has a specialized purpose for towing different types of vehicles. Only large companies have multiple trucks for the same types of towing services. Tow truck operator Mike Gassum, who owns North Algonquin Towing with his wife Tina Moore, found himself in the latter group. Based in Pembroke, Ont., he operates 11 trucks and trailers for the upper Ottawa Valley region, with each vehicle having different capabilities for towing and collisions. Since the coronavirus lockdown began in mid-March, Mr. Gassum’s towing for small car and auto-club businesses has plummeted by 90 per cent. Earlier on March 8, Mr. Gassum renewed his annual insurance policy for $90,000. He paid the initial deposit of $12,000, as well as his first monthly payment of $6,900. Then as the province began to shut down, non-commercial auto traffic rapidly came to a halt – declining between 80 per cent to 90 per cent. Mr. Gassum let go of two drivers and a mechanic and reached out to his insurance company to ask about relief measures. “There was immediate drop in our service call volume and revenue,” Mr. Gassum said. “I knew I would be able to weather the storm short term – but the only thing threatening our viability, notwithstanding the $20,000 payment on the renewal, was the upcoming $6,900 payment for April.” The only option he was given was to “park” some trucks to reduce insurance. But for a small rural company – where each truck fulfills a different role for towing – he doesn’t have the option to reduce his fleet. In an e-mail to The Globe and Mail, Intact said tow operators should reach out to brokers to “discuss the available relief options such as flexible payments or deferrals, even if they are not parking vehicles.” Aviva said in an e-mail that operators are able to “amend their coverages to reflect changes in exposures as a result of provincial shut downs” However, Mr. Graves says accumulating deferred expenses is not a solution and could “cripple tow operators’ sustainability in Ontario." Insurance companies base premiums largely on the service calls that tow operators receive, and the risk factor associated with providing service for those calls, Mr. Graves said. With fewer calls, the reduced risk could be factored into offering premium reductions. Insurers need to apply a ratio discount based on a company’s revenue stream, said Herb Vink, owner of Herb’s Towing and Recovery in Cornwall, Ont., who has experienced a 65-per-cent decline in business since COVID-19 – the largest drop he has seen in the 60-year history of the company. “Insurers need to trim the shock to the industry where the volumes have decreased dramatically,” Mr. Vink said. “There is some permanency that is going to come out of this [pandemic] and we may not see business recover fully for 24 to 36 months.” RESOURCE LINK