TowNews

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An Illinois man was arrested after authorities say he was serviced by a tow truck driver earlier this month and fled the scene and ran over the driver's foot. Bryant M. Williams, 39, faces fourth-degree theft and assault charges in connection to the incident. On the night of Jan. 11, Williams was stuck on Herbert Hoover Highway Northeast and Wapsi Avenue and called a tow truck service, according to a complaint. After the tow truck driver moved his car, the report says Williams walked up to the driver, who told him the bill was $472.76 for the tow. Williams allegedly went back to his car and then left. According to the complaint, the truck driver said that when Williams drove away, his car hit his leg and ran over his foot. Authorities say Williams admitted to driving that night and said he told the driver the next day he would pay him $100 a week or when he got paid. He was booked into the Johnson County Jail on Wednesday night, according to jail records. RESOURCE LINK

Triple-A is launching a new campaign-- aimed at protecting Tow truck drivers and first responders. In Florida-- the law requires drivers to move over for law enforcement and paramedics – but many don't know it also applies to OTHER emergency vehicles stopped on the side of the road.

Man dead after fatal collision near Innisfail One man is dead after a semi-truck with trailers collided with a stopped tow truck near Innisfail. Late Wednesday evening at approximately 11 p.m., the fatal crash occurred on Highway 2 south of Highway 42 north of Innisfail and about 130 kilometres north of Calgary. The tow truck was stopped and assisting a disabled vehicle and its driver was outside of the truck, according to RCMP. The semi-truck collided with the back of the tow truck and caught fire. The 62-year-old driver, of Edmonton, was unable to exit the vehicle and was declared dead on scene. RCMP have not released their identity. RCMP said the tow truck driver and the person they were assisting were not injured. The tow truck had extensive damage. Innisfail and Blackfalds RCMP responded to the collision. Traffic was diverted throughout Thursday morning while investigators were on scene. RESOURCE LINK

Martinsville tow truck driver continues to cheat death, blames intersection for recent events MARTINSVILLE, Ind. — A Martinsville tow truck driver continues to cheat death, and this time he’s blaming a difficult intersection for his troubles. We first told you about Brian Wagaman in late December. A car spun out of control while he was on scene at a crash, and it likely would have killed him if he stepped out. “I would probably say about five or six serious times,” Wagaman said of his extra lives. On Monday, a car was heading the wrong-way down highway 67 near Centerton Road in Martinsville. The driver nearly collided head-on with Wagaman’s tow truck as he traveled down the highway. There were two cars in the lanes to the right of Wagaman, so he could not switch lanes. “In between all the brake lights, I saw a white light coming, and saw the cars swerving in front of me,” Wagaman recounted, “I just held on for dear life, and kept going. Luckily, they swerved, and went off the road.” Wagaman says that intersection is difficult. A large median separates the north and south lanes of 67 with Centerton Road cutting through the middle. “I think its an intersection like no other,” said Indiana State Patrol Sgt. Curt Durnil, “It's an intersection, especially if you are on the four lane, you can’t see everything out the front of your windshield." Wagaman says drivers get confused coming out of a nearby gas station. “People assume it's a single highway, not a split highway," Wagaman said, "If you’re not local, it would be really easy to go northbound in southbound lanes.” There is a "Do not enter" sign by the gas station, and a one-way road sign. Wagaman says at night they can be harder to see given all the activity going through. RESOURCE LINK with video

Vehicle hits 2 pedestrians assisting stalled vehicle on East Freeway, police say The two victims were transported in critical condition to a local hospital. *** Video Not Available See Link Below *** HOUSTON — Two people were hospitalized after they were struck by a car on the East Freeway as they stopped to assist a stalled vehicle overnight. This happened just before midnight late Tuesday near Holland Avenue. Houston police say a wrecker stopped to assist a stalled vehicle that was in the mainlanes. As the wrecker was attempting to hook up the stalled vehicle, another vehicle stopped to assist. hen a fourth vehicle came along and did not see the vehicles stopped in the malnlanes and struck two of the pedestrians, police said. The two victims were transported in critical condition to a local hospital. No other details were released. RESOURCE LINK with video

Prescott driver arrested in tow rage case during snowstorm cleanup A 30-year-old Prescott resident faces a number of charges after leaping into a vehicle strapped on flatbed tow truck and starting it up, apparently intending to take off. The incident occurred when tow trucks and graders were on storm cleanup duty on James Street Monday afternoon. At about 1:30 p.m., police were called by the tow operator that the owner of a towed car was trying to make a break for it. “Police attended and observed the running vehicle, attached to the tow, with the resident sitting in the driver’s seat,” police noted in a release. Officers asked the resident to get out of the car and step down from the flatbed, which he did. Police said further investigation revealed that not only did the individual owe the tow company money, there was an outstanding warrant for him for having failed to attend court on outstanding drug charges. “The police arrested this individual at location, but prior to their departure the accused paid the outstanding fee to the tow company.” The resident was held for a bail hearing Jan. 21, 2020. RESOURCE LINK

Stephen Steinmark, owner and operator of Steve’s towing in Lebanon Missouri suffered a massive heart attack which ended his life on 01.20.20. Anybody Towing posted this on their FB page: We were sad to learn a little while ago that we have lost one of our local wrecker company owners. Steve Steinmark of Steve Steinmark Towing in Lebanon died today 1/20/2020 while cleaning up a motor vehicle accident. It appears by first reports that his death was due to natural causes. The owners and employees of Anybody Towing wishes his family and employees our deepest condolences. Obituary Notification: https://www.shadelscolonialchapel.com/obituary/stephen-steve-steinmark Tow company owner dies responding to Bennett wreck A local towing company owner died while on a call near Bennett Spring during Monday’s snow storm. Steve Steinmark of Steve’s Towing died of an apparent heart attack while on the scene of an accident at Hidden Valley Outfitters, according to Laclede County Sheriff David Millsap. RESOURCE LINK

ORISKA, N.D. (KFGO) - A NDDOT plow and a tow truck were hit by semi on I-94 while the road was closed over the weekend. Around 10 a.m. Saturday, a tow truck was hauling a semi out of the median. A DOT snowplow came upon the tow truck and was going to provide traffic control when another semi side swiped the plow and the tow truck. The driver of the semi was cited for care required and driving on a closed road. No Further Details and there were no injuries. RESOURCE LINK

NOTE: This news report may change to a Tower Down as there are few details about who the man killed was. UPDATED: Changed to a "TOWER DOWN INCIDENT" Local man dies after getting rolled over by tow truck Truck rolls over Brian Williams while he worked to remove a trailer from a previous wreck A Prineville man who was run over by a large tow truck died from his injuries. Last Wednesday evening, shortly before 8:30 p.m., Crook County deputies were dispatched to a serious injury accident near milepost 11 on Southwest George Millican Road. Upon arriving, deputies learned that 46-year-old Prineville resident Brian Williams was working to remove a semi-truck/trailer from an earlier crash when he was partially run over by a large tow truck. They determined that the tow truck, owned by Dave's Towing of Prineville, was accidentally moved while Williams was working underneath it. The rear dual tires partially crushed his chest cavity, causing serious injury. According to a Crook County Sheriff's Office report, deputies on scene provided an assessment of the injuries to responding paramedics and delivered appropriate aid until they arrived. Crook County Fire Rescue crews responded promptly and began providing lifesaving care. Williams was then transported to St. Charles Hospital in Bend. An investigation was conducted, and deputies determined that this unfortunate incident was accidental. No citations or charges are expected. Deputies were assisted at the scene by members of Crook County Fire Rescue, Crook County Road Department and SMAF Environmental. The Sheriff's Office was later notified that Brian passed away from his injuries at St. Charles Bend. "This was a very sad situation," said Crook County Undersheriff James Savage, "and a reminder of the risk that first responders and their partners, like the tow truck drivers, are exposed to every day." RESOURCE LINK

Extrication from Truck, Car Crash on KY Bridge When a car stopped on the Bi-State Vietnam Gold Star Twin Bridges, it was struck by a tractor-trailer and pinned the driver inside the car. READ this story at Firehouse.com Franklin Hammond Wrote: A rescue job from yesterday morning. The single female occupant of the car survived and is expected to make a full recovery. The Henderson Fire Dept. did everything right and I’m thankful for the training and real world relationship we have with this department. HFD helped us capture the suspension and rig our trucks. We utilized mine and Lance’s rotators to lift and stabilize the loaded trailer while Steve used his truck to gently winch the casualty away from the suspended trailer. We then assisted HFD with performing a side-out, taking the roof, cutting the steering wheel, and removing the patient. We must praise HFD for several key decisions which made this extrication successful: 1. We were called to assist as soon as the tones went off. 2. We were given a size-up just before arrival on scene. 3. The scene was completely clear for our wreckers upon arrival. 4. Tools were staged for the extrication. 5. We were immediately met with a “what can we do to help” attitude. Cross training with many paid and volunteer departments in our area has become a priority and for that, I’m thankful. Everyone on HFD should be very proud of their performance on this job. Thank you for the opportunity.

51-year-old Bradford man arrested at 11 a.m. for impaired driving while operating a tow truck in Bradford. At 2:30 p.m. same man charged with drive while suspended using his personal vehicle. Both vehicles impounded for 7 days. SOURCE: Barrie 411 News

Multiple people taken to hospital due to 7-vehicle crash on Winnipeg's icy Perimeter Highway "Image Not Available" A semi-tractor trailer initially hit a tow truck pulling another vehicle out of the ditch Multiple people ended up in hospital after a semi-tractor trailer struck a tow truck while it was pulling another vehicle out of the ditch along an icy Winnipeg highway shortly after noon. RCMP received a call about the seven-vehicle crash on the city's south Perimeter Highway near St. Anne's Road at 1:10 p.m. on Sunday. Four other vehicles were reported to be involved in a chain reaction of collisions as a result of the initial crash between a semi, a tow truck and the vehicle it was hauling, an RCMP spokesperson confirmed in an email. Cpl. Julie Courchaine was uncertain how many people were taken to hospital and the extent of their injuries. The Perimeter Highway's westbound lanes are closed in the area as crews clear the scene. RESOURCE LINK

Local officials concerned with growing number of first responder deaths nationwide News Video Added when available "See Link Below" FOND DU LAC, Wis. (WBAY) - The numbers are alarming: In the first two weeks of 2020, seven first responders were hit and killed while doing their jobs on roadways across the country. "These are unnecessary deaths. They are absolutely preventable," says Fond du Lac Fire Chief Peter O'Leary. The deadly start to the new year has caught the attention of local public safety officials. Dashcam video caught a near miss in Fond du Lac County on a snow covered road last year, the deputy scrambling out of the way. Another squad car was totaled following a crash back in November. The squad was parked at a crash scene when another driver plowed into it. According to Capt. William Tadych with the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office, "Our deputies are constantly looking about, and their heads are on a swivel, looking for that, listening to a car screeching as it's putting on the brakes or swerving out of control. They're conscious of it because they know it's putting them in a bad position from past experience." In both of these instances everyone walked away unharmed, but getting hit by another driver is a danger first responders face every time they're on a call. RESOURCE LINK with video

Found on the Iowa State Patrol Facebook page: District 3 - Council Bluffs This shocking dash cam video was taken today from a delivery truck on I-80 in Western Iowa. The AMCON Distributing driver, State Trooper, and occupants in the pickup truck were not seriously injured. If you have to be out driving during inclement weather, please remember to slow down and be aware of the road conditions.

Robert Lloyd Dunn, Jr., 57, of Strasburg, Virginia, passed away on Thursday, January 9, 2020 in his home. Upon Robert’s wishes there will be no services. Mr. Dunn was born February 12, 1962, in Winchester, son of Robert Lloyd Dunn, Sr. and Earline Baxter Dunn. He was a retired tow truck driver. Surviving with his parents are his wife Maria C. Dunn; five children Robert Lloyd Dunn, III, Ashley Nichole Dunn, Ashley Nichole McIntosh-Wilson, Megan Elizabeth Carter, and Cherokee Rose Beatty; three siblings Rhonda Wiltshire Dunn, Ricky Dunn, and Ronnie Dunn; ten grandchildren; and Douglas “J.R.” Carter who was a best friend and brother to Mr. Dunn. Mr. Dunn accepted Christ as his Savior. He enjoyed woodworking, riding motorcycles, cutting grass, working on trucks, fishing, hunting, and spending time with his grandchildren. His family was his life and he always offered a helping hand to others in need. RESOURCE LINK

Portland towing company asks GPS apps to warn drivers of stopped emergency vehicles PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) - Speed’s Towing, a Portland towing company, is asking popular GPS apps to alert drivers of stopped emergency vehicles up ahead with a “Slow Down Move Over” warning. The hope is that drivers will then be more likely to actually do it. FOX 12 rode along with driver Lloyd Buckley on Thursday to see things first hand. He pulled to the shoulder of Interstate 84 with his lights flashing as if he were towing a car. It’s the law for cars to move over. “Nobody’s getting over, from semi-trucks to passenger cars, they’re all just going by,” Buckley said. ”One guy, two since we’ve been sitting here, two people got over.” Buckley said he’s been hit by cars before while out doing his job, and it's a danger he faces daily. “For me, the biggest fear that I had is that somebody who works here would have to call my wife or my family, tell them I wasn’t coming home,” Buckley said. Somebody who works here like Carrie Ransome. She’s the one who submitted the suggestion to Waze and Google Maps, asking specifically for a “Slow Down Move Over” warning to drivers approaching tow trucks or other vehicles on the side of the road helping in an emergency. “I’m doing this so that everyone gets home safe, so that our family and our loved ones who are out there rescuing motorists on the road, they get home safely,” Ransome said. RESOURCE LINK with video

Police charged a Fairfax man with malicious wounding after he struck an employee at a tow lot with his car as tried to leave without paying. ARLINGTON, VA -- Arlington County Police arrested a Fairfax man Monday afternoon and charged him with malicious wounding and destruction of property after he allegedly stole back his vehicle from a tow lot in the Ballston area, according a the daily crime report. An officer was dispatched Jan. 13, at about 3:11 p.m., to the 4000 block of 5th Road N. to the report of a crash with injuries. Arriving on the scene, the officer discovered the suspect had tried to leave a tow lot without paying as an employee was closing the gate. Accelerating his vehicle, the suspect struck the employee and then hit a dumpster and power line pole before leaving the scene. The employee suffered non-life threatening injuries and was taken to an area hospital. The officer took the suspect into custody after locating him at 5th Road N. and N. Randolph Street. ACPD charged Gigssa Bekele Bengessa, 27, of Fairfax, with Malicious Wounding, Destruction of Property and Defrauding a Garagekeeper. He is being held without bond. RESOURCE LINK Uber Driver Arrested After Pedestrian Struck at Advanced Towing Lot The driver of a car with Uber branding is in police custody after an incident at the Advanced Towing lot in Ballston. Witnesses tell ARLnow that around 3 p.m. a man was trying to prevent the Uber vehicle from leaving the tow lot at 4000 5th Road N. when the driver gunned it, striking the man, another vehicle and a utility pole. When a reporter arrived on scene, the alleged driver was being taken into custody by police a short distance away from the lot. The striking vehicle — a silver Kia with a cross on the hood — could be seen parked on 5th Road N. with a damaged front bumper and the passenger side of its front windshield shattered. According to scanner traffic, the victim was bleeding from the face after being struck and was being transported to Virginia Hospital Center via ambulance. His injuries were described as non-life-threatening. A towing company employee told ARLnow that the victim was Advanced Towing owner John O’Neill. “All this over 135 bucks,” the employee said. Police said Monday evening that a Fairfax man had been arrested and is facing multiple charges. “At approximately 3:11 p.m. on January 13, police were dispatched to the report of a crash with injuries in the 4000 block of 5th Road N.,” said Arlington County Police spokeswoman Ashley Savage. “Upon arrival, it was determined that the suspect attempted to exit a tow lot as the employee was closing the gate. The suspect allegedly accelerated, struck the employee, a dumpster and light pole before fleeing the scene.” “An officer located the suspect and took him into custody without incident,” Savage continued. “The employee was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Gigssa Bekele Bengessa, 27, of Fairfax, VA was arrested and charged with Malicious Wounding, Destruction of Property and Defrauding a Garage Keeper. He was held on no bond. ” Advanced Towing gained national notoriety in 2015 after video emerged of an ESPN reporter, whose car was towed, berating an Advanced employee. The company, which tows cars that are considered to be trespassing on private lots and then charges the vehicle’s owner a fee, faces frequent accusations of “predatory” towing. RESOURCE LINK

Northumberland OPP charged another driver with stunt driving on Wednesday, January 15, 2020. Police also charged two tow truck drivers with various offences while they were responding to the scene. At approximately noon, Northumberland OPP and Highway Safety Division officers were monitoring eastbound traffic, east of Wesleyville along Highway 401 in the Municipality of Port Hope. A Mercedes was clocked at 171 kph and was pulled over just east of Toronto Road. All five occupants of the vehicle were charged with not wearing seatbelts and the driver was charged with Stunt Driving. A tow truck responding to the scene was pulled over and the driver charged with speeding (134 kph), fail to surrender license and windows being to dark with tinting. Another tow truck from the same company and arrived on scene to pick up the Mercedes. As soon as the tow left the scene with the vehicle, OPP pulled the tow truck over and the driver was charged with no directional signals and no brake lights. Total fines for tow company and drivers are approximately $1,000. Driver of vehicle charged with Stunt Driving could face a minimum charge of $2,000 if found guilty. RESOURCE LINK

Chad Issac Lantz, 29, of Munhall, formerly of Donora, died unexpectedly Tuesday, January 14, 2020. He was born April 25, 1990 in Monroeville, the son of Kim Miller Lantz who survives and resides in Belle Vernon and the late Wesley R. Lantz. For the past three years, Chad was a truck driver for Culgan Towing Inc. in Pittsburgh. When he wasn’t working, he was being a devoted father to his children. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his daughter, Tabitha Lantz of Washington; three sons, Brady, Tyler and Landon Lantz, and their mother, Meghan Eager, all of Irwin; brother, Wesley Lantz and wife Michele of North Charleroi; sister, Michel Lantz-Horner and husband Sam of Donora; twin sister, Carrie Lantz of Belle Vernon; maternal grandmother, Isabelle Teets Miller of Monongahela; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Floyd and Lorelei Lantz; his maternal grandfather, Donald Miller; and an infant brother, Timothy Lantz. Friends will be received on Friday, January 17, 2020 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM in the Frye Funeral Home Inc., 427 West Main Street, Monongahela, where services will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 11:00 AM with the Rev. Jack Wilson officiating. OBIT NOTIFICATION

Near fatal incidents are cause for concern for local towing companies With the cold weather and increase in accidents, tow truck drivers are appealing to the public to give them space while they work. “I don’t know if people drive with their eyes closed, but it’s scary out there,” John Medynski with Lakeland Towing said. Medynski said his colleague was nearly struck when he recently responded to a call on Highway 11. “We were on the shoulder of the road, it’s a double lane highway and [a driver] ran right into the vehicle we were picking up and that vehicle hit our tow truck,” he told paNOW. He added the tow truck driver “was at the back of the vehicle hooking up and he had to go running into the ditch.” “Things like that shouldn’t happen, but it does. As time goes on, we just hope people pay more attention so we can go home to our families,” Medynski said. Danny Goodwin, the owner of Gateway North Towing Ltd., had a similar story to share. “We almost lost a driver on Sunday. On [Highway 11] a guy was coming down the highway on a two-lane. He should have just pulled over into the other lane — he didn’t. He lost control of his vehicle probably 100 yards back of the tow truck and he [did a] 360 degree spin right past the truck, missed my driver by about five feet and piled into the ditch.” “We almost lost a driver on Sunday.” Owner of Gateway North Towing, Danny Goodwin In both instances, the tow-truck drivers were unharmed. According to SGI, 60 km/h is the maximum speed limit when passing tow trucks or emergency vehicles that are stopped with their lights flashing. The same speed requirement is in place when passing Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure equipment with lights flashing. Motorists who fail to slow to 60 km/h could face fines. RESOURCE LINK

Video will be added when & if it becomes available "see link below" EORIA, Ill.– After almost a decade, area tow companies are able to increase fees. City Council Tuesday voted to allow local companies to increase their fees. Various companies made complaints about fees staying stagnant from 2011. The standard fee is $155. Now companies are authorized to raise the tow fee $5 a year, but it can exceed a total of $175. The towing code is now reflective of and in compliance with current state law. [We’re] making sure that the tow companies are required to respond to all tows that they’re dispatched out on, so no picking and choosing of the calls that they want to go on. Chrissie Peterson, Interim Corporation Council The updated code also requires tow truck companies to respond within 30 minutes, making sure that they respond to at least 85 percent of the calls that they are dispatched on. Tow company storage fees and location fees are also subject to increase. Lot storage fees will increase from $25 to $35 and location fees from $30 to $40. RESOURCE LINK with video