LONDON, ONT. -- A wildly inconsistent towing industry, troubled by so-called ‘chaser’ trucks, is described in a new report prepared by London police.

The report to the London Police Services Board (LPSB) recommends renewing its contract with Ross’ Towing until Dec. 31, 2021. A Request For Proposals (RFP) bidding process would then be launched for the next contract.

The current contract sees Ross’ called for all police-related towing requests at accident scenes and when vehicles are seized. Previously, calls were rotated between operators.

But other tow truck operators in London have argued against extending the contract, saying it created a ‘monopoly’ and motivated some companies to chase accidents.

So-called ‘chaser' tow trucks listen to radio scanners, race to collisions, and use high-pressure sales tactics on drivers involved in an accident.

'Upcharges' boosting tow bills

“Often the driver never sees the actual tow bill as it is added to the body shop repair bill,” reads the LPSB report.

As an example, the report includes a bill from an unidentified local tow company for $2,791, which includes added charges for cleanup, wait time and mileage.

The contract with Ross’ Towing includes upfront, standardized pricing advertised on their website.

Number of 'chasers' growing

According to collision reports, at least 38 tow truck companies were operating in London last year. Prior to 2015 there were just 13 towing companies.

When a vehicle does not need to be impounded by police, drivers involved in an accident can use any tow truck company that they wish.

But reputable companies in London say they have been unfairly impacted by the actions of a few bad apples.

According to police records, at accidents attended by police in 2019, 51 per cent (1,779) of vehicles were towed by Ross’ and 49 per cent (1,706) were towed other companies.

Business licensing partial solution

The report also makes several references to city council’s ongoing discussion of business licensing rules for tow truck operators.

The goal would be to improves safety and consumer protection.

Civic administration is drafting possible rules, including a minimum 200 metre setback distance for ‘chaser' tow trucks not invited to an accident scene.

The report to the police board says most other large cities in Ontario have similar rules in place, “but chasing still takes place.” The buffer is, however, another tool to “crack down” on the behaviour.

The London Police Services Board will discuss the report on the local towing industry on May 21.

RESOURCE LINK

MUSKEGON, Mich. — On Sunday, a West Michigan man and his family reunited with a wrecker driver who possibly saved his life.

It was a rainy but welcomed reunion between Duane Braden and Rob Douglas who were strangers just a day before.

On Saturday, Braden was in his backyard fixing the gas tank in a 1996 Chevy Trailblazer.

“Decided to change the doggone thing and put the new one,” said Braden. “It didn’t work out that way.”

Braden’s car jack gave out and pinned him underneath the car.

“All of a sudden it just started rolling back and there was nothing you can do,” said Braden. “I was on my back, gasping for air, and I thought to Him ‘Somebody help me, help me.’”

Braden’s daughter and son-in-law were nearby and rushed to call 911.

As dispatchers worked to get first responders to the home, Douglas, a tow truck driver with 1^st Class Towing, heard the call come over the scanner. He happened to be a few blocks away from Braden’s Laketon Avenue house.

“I proceeded to go over there to help out,” said Douglas. “When I got there, he was trapped underneath the vehicle, so I was able to back my tow truck back to him and hook his back bumper with my wheel lift to lift it up to get it off of him.”

Braden spent the night in the hospital but was discharged Sunday. The accident left him with a broken collarbone, an ear full of stitches, and cuts on his arms and legs.

“I’m feeling halfway decent now, but the past 24 hours have been a real royal pain,” said Braden.

Douglas believes Braden is lucky to be alive.

“Usually when that happens, it’s not a great outcome,” said Douglas. “For him to be able to be here today, is the best outcome. Obviously, I was at the right place at the right time.”

Braden recognizes that too. He says he’s done fixing up cars. He also wants to use his accident as a reminder to others that they should use blocks when working on cars and be surround by other people.

“If it wasn’t for the people that was here, I wouldn’t be here,” said Braden.

RESOURCE LINK

CHULA VISTA, Calif. — A tow truck driver was in the process of towing a vehicle late Saturday in the 800 block of East Palomar Street in Chula Vista when he was struck by a suspected drunk driver.

Officers from the Chula Vista Police Dept. responded to the scene after receiving calls of a traffic collision at approximately 10:44 p.m. Police say the 25-year-old tow truck driver had been struck by a vehicle traveling west on East Palomar Street.

Upon arrival, fire personnel and officers found the man lying on the roadway. He was transported to Scripps Mercy with “serious injuries,” according to police.

A preliminary investigation found the tow truck driver was stopped in the westbound No. 2 lane of East Palomar and had exited the vehicle when he was struck by a 2001 Toyota 4Runner traveling west. In addition to the tow truck operator, the driver of the 4Runner also struck the vehicle being towed. The 4Runner was found at the scene flipped on its side.

The driver of the 4Runner and a passenger sustained minor injuries and were transported to the hospital for medical evaluation. According to police, the driver later was arrested under suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.

The collision remains under investigation by the Chula Vista Police Traffic Division.

RESOURCE LINK

On Friday, May 15th at the Cedar Lake Speedway in St. Croix County during a school bus race, Edward A. Nicholson, a member of the safety crew, died while trying to clear the track as another bus fell onto him.

The St. Croix County Emergency Communication Center responded to the call and at the scene, Nicholson was extricated and life saving efforts were attempted by emergency personal.

Nicholson was pronounced dead at the scene by the St. Croix County Medical examiner.

The incident remains under investigation by the St. Croix County Sheriff's office, Medical Examiners office and OSHA.

Citywide Service Towing said on the FB Page:

Its with a heavy heart that we get the news of the passing of Edward Nicholson, he was only 62. He spend decades working with our towing family and in the community. He always had a wave for fellow operators on the roads, a smiling helping spirit, a helping hand and great knowledge on the jobs, no matter who he was working along side of....your uniform color and tag didn't matter. He will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends, and to his family at Twin Cities Transport and Recovery. RIP Eddie, we will carry your chains from here.

Resource Links

https://www.fox9.com/news/man-killed-after-school-bus-rolls-onto-him-during-races-at-wisconsin-speedway

Anyone have any information about this Tow Truck (Rollback) Accident which occurred someplace in Maryland on Thursday 05.15.20 ?

Event took place on Friday May 16th, 2020

https://www.wpri.com/news/its-good-news/jeep-and-tow-truck-rally-showing-appreciation-for-healthcare-workers/

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...

This appeared on the Tesla Motor Club message board:

Visited my daughter yesterday in LA. About 80 miles from home. Ran over a bolt when leaving. Tire was not leaking but didn't want to chance driving 80 miles with a bolt in the tire.

Got on my app and asked for a tow truck. 5 minutes later got a reply from Tesla saying a tow truck en-route.

5 min later a text asking if I want to use a tire service instead of Tesla Service Center. I asked is this authorized from Tesla?

10 minutes later I got a reply asking if I want to take my car to a tire center. I said OK, where?

10 min later, I got a reply saying that the Service Center probably could not see me as they are booked solid. I said what should I do?

15 minutes later I got a text saying that they can send a 'tire truck' to my house in the morning to fix tire. $96 to fix tire, or $395 for a new tire. I asked them if they had been reading my replies?

I AM 80 MILES FROM HOME. I need to take it to Tesla service center (literally 1.5 miles away). 15 minutes later I got a reply saying that they are booked and best they could do is come to my house tomorrow. I gave up and called BigO tire 2 miles away. Tesla never responded. Drove slowly to BigO and 10 minutes and $35 later I was back on the road.

Continued poor customer service - sad to say I would never buy another Tesla until they get their act together.
PS, Im one of the few that actually has a lemon and have had nothing but charging and 'auto' driving issues.

https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/customer-non-service.193509/

Shooting in Etobicoke leaves 23-year-old man dead

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

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: