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Tow Truck Operator Frees Woman Trapped by her Own Car: Crossville, TN.
Susan Norris kissed the face of death.
“I wouldn’t have given you a plug nickel for her chances,” Cumberland County Fire Department Chief Trevor Kerley said Monday.
No one did. Friends say she defied the odds and medical understanding and today is recovering.
Some are not shy about calling her a miracle.
A smile on her face and thumbs-up gesture for a photo sent to her friends tells the story.
Whether one says it wasn’t her time to leave her earthly home, or one subscribes to the belief in modern-day God-sent miracles, optimism is growing she will recover and return to being what acquaintances describe as “everyone’s momma.”
The accident
Early Friday afternoon Norris, 59, decided to stop by the county convenience center off Bean Pot Campground Rd. to drop off a bag of trash on her way to an appointment at Dr. Victor Shada’s office. As it turns out, she was suffering from a serious case of pneumonia, said her friend of nearly 40 years, Felicia Gunter.
Slowed by knee surgery from over a year ago, Norris exited her pickup truck to toss the bag of trash into a dumpster. When she did, the vehicle either jumped into gear, or was left in gear, and started moving forward.
“Susan can’t move fast because of her knee, but she tried to grab the door, which had shut. Her vehicle is one of those whose doors lock when it starts to move and she could not get the door open,” Gunter said she was told.
Norris was knocked off balance and ended up pinned between the truck and the office building at the center. The center attendant tried to enter the pickup to back the pickup off Norris, but found the doors were locked.
E-911 was called, and emergency responders rushed to the scene.
Tow truck driver Darwin Scarlett was driving by the center when he was flagged down by a passerby.
Norris, by this time, was turning blue, her pulse was extremely week and her shallow breathing appeared to have ceased.
He sized up the situation, dropped down the bed of his roll-back wrecker and hooked up to Norris’ still-running vehicle. He pulled the vehicle away enough to free Norris, who by this time was not breathing and displayed a deep discoloration in her skin.
Deputy K.C. Iles responded to the scene. He informed dispatchers of the dire emergency and immediately began CPR. He continued until the first of two responding ambulances arrived.
Chief Kerley, who was not far away having lunch, sped to the scene and arrived just as Scarlett was unhooking the chains from the pickup truck and his wrecker.
While life-saving measures were being taken, fire officials established a landing zone for a medical helicopter.
Two ambulances were dispatched. Emergency personnel crews from both units took over the non-stop life saving efforts to save Norris’ life.
A faint pulse was found, and Norris was flown directly to the trauma center at The University of Tennessee Medical Center.
The dire prognosis
From all accounts, it did not look good for Norris’ recovery. She was taken to the intensive care unit at UTMC where her prognosis was grim.
Gunter and other friends rushed to the hospital in support of the person they love.
Norris was suffering from a deep bruising of the wall around the heart, ten broken ribs and was suffering from pneumonia. One lung was nearly full of water, Gunter continued. Norris was placed on a ventilator and friends kept vigil.
“The doctor called and asked that her living will be brought to the hospital,” Gunter said. “I went over to her house, found it and faxed it to the hospital.” There was little left to do but wait.”
Gunter said the doctor estimated that Norris was without blood flow and oxygen to the brain for around 20 minutes.
“The doctor looked over the living will and told us he was going to do everything that she wanted.” Gunter remembered. This included removing the vent and, if the time came, to harvest her organs for donations to others.
But, the doctor said he was going to leave Norris on the vent for 12 more hours before carrying out her last wishes.
The situation was so grim that four friends — including Gunter — were allowed to spend time in ICU with Norris Saturday evening. “By them bending the rules for us, I knew it just wasn’t good,” Gunter said.
That night it happened.
Norris raised up, whispered and cried. It was a normal reaction from someone who had undergone severe trauma and extended unconsciousness.
“We were to meet with the doctor at 11 a.m. our time Sunday and while we were hoping for the best, we were fearing the worst,” Gunter recalled. “Well, 11 came and no meeting … 12, and finally, at 1 p.m. the doctor called us in. You know, we were fearing the worst.”
Instead, the doctor told the friends what had transpired over night. They were allowed to take turns briefly visiting her. Gunter said Norris was still groggy from the trauma, the medication and treatment and being unconscious for an extended period of time.
Monday she was removed from the ventilator and while a UTMC spokesperson would not comment about Norris, it was reported that she is now listed in “stable condition.”
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This declaration is the first time FMCSA has issued nation-wide relief and follows President Trump issuing of a national emergency declaration in response to the virus.
Mar 14, 2020The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a national emergency declaration to provide hours-of-service regulatory relief to commercial vehicle drivers transporting emergency relief in response to the nationwide coronavirus, known as COVID-19, outbreak.
This declaration is the first time FMCSA has issued nation-wide relief and follows President Trump issuing of a national emergency declaration in response to the virus.
“Because of the decisive leadership of President Trump and Secretary Chao, this declaration will help America’s commercial drivers get these critical goods to impacted areas faster and more efficiently,” said FMCSA Acting Administrator Jim Mullen. “FMCSA is continuing to closely monitor the coronavirus outbreak and stands ready to use its authority to protect the health and safety of the American people.”
FMCSA’s declaration provides for regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operations providing direct assistance supporting emergency relief efforts intended to meet immediate needs for:
Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19;
Supplies and equipment, including masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants, necessary for health care worker, patient and community safety, sanitation, and prevention of COVID-19 spread in communities;
Food for emergency restocking of stores;
Equipment, supplies and persons necessary for establishment and management of temporary housing and quarantine facilities related to COVID-19;
Persons designated by federal, state or local authorities for transport for medical, isolation or quarantine purposes.
Personnel to provide medical or other emergency services.
To ensure continued safety on the nation’s roadways, the emergency declaration stipulates that once a driver has completed his or her delivery, the driver must receive a minimum of 10 hours off duty if transporting property, and eight hours if transporting passengers.
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Rush Towing Cookeville Tn. had a Rollback Struck on I-40 mm 284
by a tractor trailer who failed to slow down or move over.
The tow truck operator and his passengers are reported to be OK!
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Motorcyclist from Cypress killed in Riverside crash
A motorcyclist from Cypress was killed late Saturday night in Riverside when the rider and a flatbed tow truck crashed as the truck was making a turn, police said.
The 54-year-old rider was not further identified until relatives are notified. The crash was reported at Arlington and Hillside Avenues at 9:47 p.m., authorities said.
City firefighters freed the motorcyclist, who was trapped beneath the truck. They tried life support measures on the rider, who died at the scene, the department said.
Police said the tow truck was turning from eastbound Arlington onto northbound Hillside — a left turn — when the collision occurred with the westbound motorcyclist. The incident remained under investigation by police Sunday.
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JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- One person was killed in a five-vehicle crash in Johnston County early Friday morning.
According to North Carolina State Highway Patrol officers, a silver car crashed on Highway 70 around 5:45 a.m. The car blocked several lanes of Highway 70, but did not have its lights on after crashing.
Two cars, a silver truck and a white tow truck tried to swerve around the car, but the tow truck hit the car, causing it to spin into the truck. A fourth car, driven by Lahoma Ruth Arthur, then hit the first car.
Then, officers said a Sheetz gas tanker hit the driver-side door of Arthur's car. Arthur was killed in the crash.
The driver of the first car was charged with misdemeanor death and a lane control violation.
Highway patrol officers said they do not believe alcohol was a factor in the crash.
Westbound lanes of Highway 70 were blocked for three hours while investigators cleared the scene. Lanes are now back open. -
Question for Owners: If your driver has a concern with transporting someone or anyone during this health event. What is your strategy, the driver must transport them or find another job. Or you understand and will make other arraignments. I have now seen where owners have said one or the other.Question for Drivers: If you are concerned with transporting someone or anyone during this health event. What is the company strategy. you must transport them or find another job. Or the company will make other arraignments. I have seen and heard from drivers that they were told they can just quit now to if they have concerns they understand and will work through this with them.Before answering keep in mind this will pass and it will be back to business as usual. Precautions should be taken, as an industry someone will be infected unless this is controlled.
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PWOF Press Release: 03.14.20
Due to circumstances out of the control of the Professional Wrecker Operators of Florida.
The Florida Tow Show that was scheduled to be held April 16 17th and 18th is being postponed and rescheduled for June 18th, 19th and 20th.
We are sorry for any inconvenience this causes please watch for additional information in the upcoming days.
Glenn Landau
Again, the 2020 Florida Tow Show has been postponed to June 18, 19 & 20, 2020
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Argyle Fire District: 03/13/20
E514, E511, M514 responded to a swift water rescue along with City of Denton Fire Department swift water rescue team. 1 victim was rescued without incident. Remember #TurnAroundDontDrown
No Further Details at this time.
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One killed in traffic collision near Whitewater amid wet conditions on Interstate 10
A man waiting near a tow truck on Interstate 10 near Whitewater Road died Thursday afternoon after being struck by a vehicle, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Yucca Valley resident Gilberto Avila, 40, died at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs after he was struck around 3 p.m.
The incident started around 2 p.m. when a CHP officer responded to a call of two solo traffic collisions on eastbound I-10 east of Whitewater Road. After responding, the officer called for a tow truck to recover a Toyota Prius.
Later, Avila stood on the right shoulder of the freeway near a tow truck when a Chrysler Sebring, driven by 35-year-old Aaron Oliver of Avondale, Ariz., approached the scene, the CHP said.
The initial investigation, according to the CHP, shows the Sebring was "traveling at an unsafe speed" for the road and weather conditions. Oliver's vehicle lost traction and veered onto the right shoulder and struck the tow truck followed by Avila.
Avila initially sustained major injuries and later died.
Oliver and his passengers all suffered minor injuries and were also taken to the hospital, the CHP said.
Alcohol and drugs were ruled out as factors in the cause of the collision, according to the CHP. The collision remains under investigation.
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Slow Down, Move Over campaign to hit Calgary roads Wednesday evening
Emergency service vehicles will be parked in solidarity alongside Stoney Trail and 114 Avenue S.E. in Calgary on Wednesday evening, reminding drivers to slow down and move over when they see those familiar flashing lights.
The Slow Down, Move Over campaign will take place between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
The initiative aims to draw more attention to road safety following the death of a tow truck driver in 2017, who was struck and killed by a passing vehicle near Esterhazy, Sask.
“Tow truck drivers and emergency workers deserve safe working conditions while they work to make sure that if you ever find yourself in trouble on the road, the right supports are made available to you.”
Derrek Spencer, a manager with City Wide Towing, said all roadside workers encounter dangers that put their lives at risk.
He hopes this campaign serves as an important safety reminder to all drivers.
“The purpose of Slow Down, Move Over is to raise awareness for the safety of all roadside workers, including tow trucks, EMS, fire, police and highway [or] road maintenance,” Spencer said.The campaign also works to remind drivers of the law surrounding passing emergency vehicles: a driver must reduce speed to 60 kilometres per hour or the posted speed — whichever is lower — in the lane next to a stopped vehicle. -
Tow truck drivers and first responders team up to raise awareness
Emergency crews and tow truck operators have a reminder for Calgary drivers — slow down and move over when you see flashing lights.
The city's annual road safety event featured a demonstration on Wednesday with a contingent of emergency services vehicles parked in both directions alongside Stoney Trail and 114th Avenue S.E."Everyone's got a family to go home to at the end of the day and we're just out here trying to make a living, trying to keep people safe and keep the roadways clear of traffic," said Derrek Spencer, a safety officer with City Wide Towing.
"You know, we just ask that people slow down, pay attention and move over when possible when they see flashing lights, whether it's blues, reds or ambers."
Motorists are required to reduce their speed to 60 km/h or go the posted speed, whichever is lower, when passing emergency vehicles or tow trucks that are stopped with their lights flashing.
The law applies to the lane immediately next to the stopped vehicles. The fine for speeding in these areas is doubled.
Alberta law also requires drivers to yield the right-of-way when an ambulance, fire or police vehicle is approaching from any direction and is sounding a siren.
Spencer said collisions involving tow trucks are on the rise.
"Roadways become temporary offices for first responders and tow operators. Paramedics ask motorists to be attentive and give us room to work, while we care for the sick and injured," EMS spokesperson Adam Loria said. -
Man killed in West Lawn hit-and-run crash: police
The 59-year-old’s Chevrolet Malibu crashed into a pole after his car was hit by a tow truck.
A man was killed in a crash Wednesday in West Lawn on the Southwest Side, police said.
He was driving a blue Chevrolet Malibu west about 1:30 p.m. in the 4500 block of West 63rd Street when a tow truck ran several red lights and struck the car, Chicago police said.
The 59-year-old lost control of the Mailbu and crashed into a pole, police said. He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead.
The truck sped off from the crash, police said. CPD’s Major Accidents Unit is investigating.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office hasn’t released details on the death.
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Bozeman police are investigating a shot fired at a tow truck Sunday afternoon near Montana State University.
Bozeman Police Sgt. Travis Munter said officers responded to the Hawks Ridge apartment complex in the 1700 block of West Kagy Boulevard at 2:46 p.m. after a tow truck driver reported hearing a gunshot fired and impact to the truck. Munter said the driver pulled into the complex to tow someone illegally parked.
“They didn’t report that they saw anyone with a gun. They heard a shot, and heard impact with their truck,” Munter said.
No one was injured in the incident.
When officers got there, he said, there was damage on the truck that was “consistent with some sort of shot.”
“It looks like some sort of projectile contacted the truck, but it didn’t penetrate fully through the metal on the truck,” Munter said.
A handful of people were questioned, but Munter said no one has been charged. He said police closed off the road on Sunday to make sure everyone was safe and to figure out if the shot came from an apartment there.
He said the incident appeared to be directed at the tow truck company, and it didn’t appear there was any further or ongoing threat.
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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Police in Munhall arrested a man after he led them on a chase onto the parkway in a tow truck.
According to the criminal complaint, Michael Kiselka was towing a car without his caution lights on along 8th Avenue in Munhall when police pulled him over. Kiselka did pull off the road but the sped up and continued to travel along 8th Avenue.
From there, police chased Kiselka up Brownshill Road to the intersection of Hazelwood Avenue. During the chase, Kiselka ran red lights, swerved into oncoming traffic, and passed vehicles in oncoming lanes.
The chase eventually led to the Parkway East where he drove around traffic on the ramp and onto the Parkway East.
Just before he reached the Squirrel Hill Tunnel, police were able to stop him and attempted to remove him from the truck.
He resisted, fighting officers in an attempt to escape.
He was taken into custody and it was found his license had been suspended for charges related to driving under the influence. Police also learned the truck actually belonged to someone in West Virginia but was bearing Ohio plates.
A search of truck found marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and a switchblade.
Kiselka is facing several charges including resisting arrest, reckless driving, recklessly endangering another person, and attempting to elude police.
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PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5)-- A tow truck driver made it out alive after police say a suspected impaired driver hit him and ran him over. The victim told Arizona's Family that it happened on Cave Creek Road near Mountain View Road as he was unloading cars for a dealership in between the solid yellow lines in the middle of the street.
The victim, who did not want to be identified, told Arizona's Family that he had done it a million times, but this time a suspected impaired driver hit him and ran him over.
He's dealing with a long list of injuries, including broken ribs, broken vertebrae, a fractured arm, and a broken jaw. Doctors had to wire his jaw shut, and they also put four plates in his face. The crash happened on the same day an ADOT worker was killed on the job. Now, the victim and his family have a message for drivers who pass by people working on the road.
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The bus had no one on board when it rolled away from a tow truck 20 metres downhill into power pole
TransLink says it's investigating what caused a broken down bus to roll away from a tow truck down a hill in Burnaby before crashing into a power pole on Saturday.
The Coast Mountain Company bus had a mechanical issue around 10:00 a.m. PT at Gilmore Avenue and Kitchener Street.
A repair crew brought in a tow truck to haul the bus away for repairs, but during that, the bus unexpectedly rolled downhill more than 20 metres, crashed into a hydro pole and came to a stop in part of the front yard of a house.
No one was onboard the bus when it rolled away and there were no injuries according to police at the scene.
The road was closed for several hours as crews removed the bus. Power was also cut to some houses in the area.
TransLink says it is working with authorities and the tow truck contractor to figure out what happened.
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Press Release from Pantusa Towing & Recovery (San Antonio, Texas):
We are so excited to introduce our new heavy duty driver, Michelle Ramirez. Michelle started off as a light duty operator and quickly moved into medium duty towing. She took every opportunity to learn the heavy duty side and we couldn’t be more proud to have her move into our 2020 Peterbilt 389. She is one of few female HD towing operators in the country.
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Another violent incident involving tow trucks in Richmond Hill has police seeking witnesses.
Shots were fired at a tow truck in the parking lot of a grocery store located in the High Tech Road and Bayview Avenue area March 2 at around 7 p.m.
Police investigators believe multiple tow trucks were in the parking lot when an occupant in one of them fired several shots at a black tow truck. Police say people involved in the shooting fled the area.
Police said shortly after officers arrived on scene, one of the tow trucks involved returned to the scene with several bullet holes. Police located several shell casings in the parking lot.
The driver was not injured.
The encounter appears to be the latest in an escalating series of violent incidents in what has been described as a tow truck turf war.
Officers are asking any witnesses who may have been in the area at the time and have not yet spoken to police to come forward. Investigators are also seeking any video surveillance from the area or anyone that may have captured dash cam video on the roadways in the area of any of the incidents.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police No. 2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7241, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or by leaving an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.
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Justice of the peace rules that regional bylaw ‘inconsistent’ with provincial law
WATERLOO REGION — Any car crash is an emergency and a tow-truck operator arriving at the scene before police or paramedics should be considered emergency personnel.
That was a recent ruling by Justice of the Peace James Ziegler in a case where a local tow-truck operator was charged for contravening the Region of Waterloo bylaw and being within 200 metres of a crash site.
Ziegler said the province under the Highway Traffic Act recognizes that tow-truck operators can assist in emergencies.
"There are remote locations even in Waterloo Region where the first responder to an accident could be a tow truck operator," Ziegler wrote in the ruling.
And under the traffic act, tow-truck operators can be closer than 200 metres when there isn't another at the scene.
"In my opinion if a tow truck was first on a scene this could assist the preservation of the scene and safety of the affected parties particularly until the police and other emergency services arrived," he said.
The ruling stems from a case in which a tow-truck driver with Able Regional Towing and Recovery of Kitchener was within 200 metres of an accident and offered services to a woman involved in a crash on Bleams Road on Sept. 18, 2018.
Court was told the woman rear-ended another vehicle. The woman said the tow-truck driver arrived about 15 minutes after the collision, but she declined his offer for help because she was waiting on her brother.
Waterloo Regional Police arrived an hour after the crash. At that time, there were two tow-truck drivers on Bleams Road. The Able driver was parked behind a fire truck.
An officer charged him for contravening the regional bylaw.
In his ruling on Jan. 30, Ziegler said the regional bylaw is "inconsistent or conflicts" with the Highway Traffic Act.
Ziegler dismissed the charges against the tow-truck driver.
"The permission to tow truck operators to offer service in emergencies is paramount province wide and is binding on the region," he said.
In 2017, the region created a bylaw that prohibits tow-truck drivers to be within 200 metres of an accident scene unless called by police or the drivers involved in the crash.
The bylaw was put in place to address the safety of emergency personnel at the scene of the crash who are tending to victims. Police said it was not uncommon to see numerous tow-truck drivers show up at a crash all vying for business.
Regional director Kris Fletcher said the region is reviewing the court decision and considering options.
"At this time no decisions have been made on next steps," she said.
Police say they will continue to enforce the regional bylaw which requires tow-truck drivers to keep their distance unless called to the scene by police or a person involved in the crash.
"The bylaw is still in place as an enforceable piece of legislation, and as such, charges still apply until the legislation changes," said Const. Andre Johnson.
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After watching this video, you might just say "Yeah, I Can See That" and while it may not have been an action most would have taken. Many a Tow Operator and even more so a Tow Company Owner would want to go after a vehicle that struck the tow truck. The method this owners chose can be debated over and over. But, the video does provide an explanation and no one in the industry know what their reaction is going to be in the heat of the moment.
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Teen Vandals Break Into San Jacinto Tow Yard, Cause Thousands In Damages
Police worked to round up a group of teenagers Monday who broke into a tow yard in San Jacinto and vandalized vehicles causing tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage.
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Tow truck driver hit on I-81 breaks neck, has ‘really long road to recovery ahead of him’
26-year-old Tennessee man charged with reckless driving
CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. – Virginia State Police Senior Trooper Roger Alley
is back at work after being involved in a scary incident this weekend.
Alley and tow truck driver Eugene Alls, 31, were working an accident on Interstate 81 in Christiansburg on Saturday morning when a driver who was going too fast for the snowy roads failed to move over and hit them both.
Police charged that driver, Jean Luc Fortner, 26, of Lebanon, Tennessee, with reckless driving.
"What I remember most was the rear window shattering and the front side and back side window shattering as well," Alley said.
Alley is okay, but Alls, who was standing beside the trooper’s car,
was pinned between the car and the wall.
"I heard Eugene say, ‘Trooper, I’m hurt,’” recalled Alley.
"I don't think it's really set in how close he came to losing his life,"
said Eugene’s boss Shawn Lowry, who owns S&A Towing.
Lowry said Eugene is still in the hospital recovering from surgery for
a broken neck, among other injuries.
"He's going to have a really long road to recovery ahead of him," Lowry said.
He will be out of work for at least a few months, but he’s lucky to be alive.
"Any time you're working on the interstate, you're risking your life," Lowry said.
"It's part of the job. I know that's a coined phrase but it's, that's what we are
paid to unfortunately endure at times," Alley said.
This accident is just another example of the life-threatening
consequences of not moving over. "Anything with flashing lights on it,
it's the law, move over and give us room to work," Lowry said.
"It's a simple message," Alley said. The driver and three passengers
in the car that caused the accident were also taken to the hospital.
Unlicensed Tow Truck Driver caused Accent (TX)
in Texas
Posted
Houston man alleges wrecking company's unlicensed tow truck driver caused accident
HOUSTON — A man is suing a wrecking company alleging its unlicensed tow truck driver caused more than $30,000 in property damages and medical costs.
Gabriel Ajaegbu Court filed a pro se complaint March 2 in the Harris County District Court against Alpha Wrecker Services LLC doing business as Intown Wrecker Services alleging negligence.
Court was in his car and stopped on South Drive in Houston while waiting for his friend to come out of his house. He alleges that Alpha Wrecker's tow truck driver who did not have a driver's license, struck his car causing him injury and property damages of $34,447.75
Court seeks monetary relief of $34,447.75, interest and all other just relief.
Harris County District Court case number 2020-13908
RESOURCE LINK