TowNews

Tow truck driver arrested after allegedly following, hitting driver he suspected was drunk A tow truck driver was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon May 27 after he allegedly aggressively followed another driver he suspected was drunk and hit his car several times. Clinton Hudnall told police he had dash cam video of a person driving recklessly in the 14100 block of Spring Cypress Drive, according to a release from the Harris County Constable Precinct 4 Office. Police found no video captured from the dash camera and said Hudnall made no attempt to notify law enforcement while he was following what he believed was a drunk driver, according to the release.Hudnall is accused of aggressively following the other driver and striking his vehicle multiple times, including driving into oncoming traffic at a high rate of speed, according to the release. After the other driver reportedly pulled over and waited for deputies to arrive, Hudnall allegedly hit his vehicle several times, "making him fear for his life," the release stated. Hudnall's bond was set at $30,000. RESOURCE LINK

Saturday evening at 7:49 pm (CST) the Kentucky State Police Post 3, Bowling Green received a call for service in reference to a two vehicle injury collision involving a passenger van and a tow truck. The collision had occurred southbound at the 68 mile marker of Interstate 65, approximately 2 miles south of Bonnieville in Hart County. Trooper Daniel Priddy, along with other KSP personnel, responded to the collision. A preliminary investigation has revealed that Agustin M. Gonzalez (36, male) of Cary, NC was operating a 2013 Dodge Caravan traveling southbound in the left lane of Interstate 65. An uninvolved non-injury collision had occurred ahead, and the operator of a 2018 International tow truck owned by Crossroads Towing, equipped with yellow caution emergency lights, had stopped partially in the left lane to assist the involved occupant. Gonzalez failed to see the stationary tow truck, striking it in a rear end manner. The tow truck was not occupied at the time of the collision. The tow truck operator, Jeffrey D. Watkins (55, male) of Rockfield, KY was not injured. Augustin Gonzalez was pronounced deceased on scene by the Hart County Coroner’s Office. A passenger, Noelle Gonzalez (6, female) was transported to Caverna Memorial Hospital and pronounced deceased by the Hart County Coroner. A second passenger, Gwendolyn Gonzalez (2, female) was flown to Norton’s Hospital, and later succumbed to injuries sustained in the collision. A third passenger, Nicholas C. Gonzalez (8, male) was transported to Hardin Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. All occupants were restrained at the time of the collision. RESOURCE LINK The investigation continues and is currently being led by Trooper Daniel Priddy. He was assisted on scene by other KSP personnel, Hart County Emergency Management, Bonnieville Fire Department, Hart County Coroner’s Office, and Hart County EMS. No further information is available for release at this time.

The tow truck driver managed to get the gun away from the robbery suspect and shoot him in the arm and leg. RESOURCE LINK with video

Harold Murphy, Jr., beloved owner of tow truck company, laid to rest on Thursday harold murphy junior served his country as a marine and his community as a police officer...'and' he built the iconic tow truck business that carries his name. WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Harold Murphy, Jr. served his country as a Marine and his community as a police officer, and he built the iconic tow truck business that carries his name. Family and friends gathered at St. Juliana Catholic Church on Thursday to honor his legacy. He passed away last Friday at the age of 79. But outside the church was an even bigger honor. Dozens of tow trucks lined up, shining their rigs and planning their route for a sendoff like no other. "I've got trucks here from Key West, north of Vero. I've got trucks from the west coast all here to represent," said Drew Zuccala, a tow truck owner. And represent they did! The long line of tow trucks traveled from the church to the cemetery, where drivers planted flags in Murphy's honor. "When we line up with the escorts and stuff, people stop. Some people get out and salute. People say a prayer. It's very, very emotional," said Zuccala. "It's a brother and sisterhood in the towing industry," said Lindsey Zuccala, a tow truck driver and organizer of Thursday's show of support. "We are competitors on a day to day basis, but when we lose one of our heroes, our fellow tow operators, we all come together as a family." Murphy's family did not want to go on camera, but said their father was humble and would be overwhelmed by the processional. One of the organizers has no doubt Murphy knows all about it. "He's up in heaven looking down with a big smile on his face, super proud, definitely proud," said Lindsey Zuccala. RESOURCE LINK with video

Published: May 22nd, 2019 - 11:13pm (EDT) Updated: May 23rd, 2019 - 5:32am (EDT) INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - Dozens of people are paying tribute to a motorcyclist who died last week after crashing into a downed tree from a powerful storm. Blinking yellow and red lights shone in the darkness from dozens of tow trucks and motorcycles. Their drivers were gathered on the south side Wednesday night to remember a man who loved both. "Loved vehicles all together. Helping people that was his thing," said Jamie Clephane of Jerry Crawford, his friend of 20 years. Crawford couldn't help himself Friday night when he hit a fallen tree on McCarty Street while riding his motorcycle. The 42-year-old tow truck driver was pronounced dead at the scene. "I'm heart broke. I'm angry," said Crawford's widow, Billie, who believes her husband should still be here. According to neighbors near the crash scene, the tree Crawford hit fell down the night before during a storm and was reported to the city. "Totally preventable," said Charles Ward. Now, all Crawford's family and friends can do is pay tribute to a husband, father, and friend with a balloon release and memorial ride. "It's just to show brotherhood. We are all family in this industry and when one passes away, we gotta show our respect to the loss and to the family," said Crawford's friend, Charles McGinnis. Now Crawford's family and friends must find a way to go on without him. "He was a hard worker. He enjoyed helping people. We definitely lost a good one for sure," said Ward. Instead of planning a summer together, though, Crawford's family is planning his funeral. "Jerry was a great guy. He had the biggest heart," Billie said. RESOURCE LINK with video

Getting stranded on the highway is one of the worst fears of a driver, but it happens. This is where Uber for tow trucks emerges as a roadside assistance app. The smartphone app not just brings peace of mind to people with broken vehicles but also poses as an opportunity for entrepreneurs to launch a tow truck driver app and grow their business. What is Uber for tow trucks? How can you have one as a business venture? Uber For Tow Trucks As On-Demand Solution It is an on-demand smartphone app that provides users with the services to get quick assistance when they are stranded on the highway in a remote area. Uber for tow trucks works similar to on-demand apps for taxi booking, food delivery, and others. Users can download the app from the play store and call for help with the click of a button on their phone. They can create an account to access the app and choose a service provider near them. The service comes with numbers of helpful features- including quick booking and easy payment- and makes assistance fast for individuals who require it. On the other side, on-demand roadside assistance app solution is a complete set of services that a business can get to start a roadside assistance venture. The solution includes multiple apps that connect service providers with customers. For example- You can have Uber for tow trucks to build an app solution and establish yourself in the towing industry. When you have developed the solution, you get a platform where expert service providers can register their services to help individuals who have broken vehicles in a remote area. Uber for tow trucks provides a one-stop solution to all types of roadside assistance and towing issues. In the form of an application, vehicle owners get a solution to their problem associated with broken vehicles. On the other side, service providers find it as an opportunity to grow their business. What do you get out of the solution? You have a powerful ‘Admin’ dashboard to handle activities and actions on customer and service provider apps. In addition, you can also use the admin panel to introduce new services to earn money. In this way, you get a complete on-demand solution that helps you to grow your business. Features Of Uber For Tow Truck Solution Uber for tow trucks has multiple panels or dashboards- Customer app, service provider app, and admin panels. They have their own features to make it easy for users to use the application as a solution to their problems. · Customer App It is a panel that vehicle owners use to book a service provider when their vehicles are stranded on the highway or when they require services for tow trucks. In addition to booking the services, the app comes with many other features. They include registering an account, exploring service provider options, booking/scheduling service provider, tracking the booked service provider, making payments, and reviewing services. · Service Provider App It is an app or a dashboard that service providers can use to get booked by customers. It comes with numbers of features, including registering an account, accepting a request, navigating the route to reach a customer, and receiving payments. · Admin App Admin app or admin panel is a dashboard controlled by the roadside assistance app owner. The individual can approve/reject accounts, add new service provider, track jobs, and introduce new services. In addition, the owner manages payments and ensures that everything with the app solution is okay. How To Build Roadside Assistance App Solution In the technology-driven world, building an app solution is not a tough task. There are many companies that offer the services of app development like Uber for tow trucks. You need to reach an app development company with experienced developers. In addition, the firm must provide you with customization feature to ensure that you get a roadside assistance app solution that meets your requirements. RESOURCE LINK

Denison raised the fee associated with vehicles police mark for towing from $80 to $125 Monday night. Denison Police Department interim Chief Paul Neumann said the city doesn’t get any of the money, as the fee is what the tow truck company is allowed to charge when the police department calls for a tow. “The way cars are built now is requiring our wreckers to get new equipment to pick them up,” Neumann said. “This is allowing us to allow them to raise the initial tow fee. They drop what they are doing because our tows are time sensitive. It just matches what the other agencies in Grayson County are doing.” Neumann said the issue came to his attention during his normal business discussions with several of the towing companies. He learned Denison had fallen behind what other law enforcement agencies in the area allow to be charged for a police tow. Neumann said because the wreckers are dropping what they are doing, he wanted to ensure they were getting fairly compensated for their work. He also said the wreckers have 15 minutes to respond to a call initiated by the police, which is another reason for the increase in the fee. Neumann said the rotation of wreckers the city uses are Texoma Wrecker, Texoma Auto Care, Blake Utter, B&B Wrecker, and Lone Star Auto Body. He said the primary reason police call tow trucks is when a vehicle is stopped and the driver doesn’t have insurance. He said other scenarios include following wrecks or when a vehicle is broken down on the side of the road or abandoned. The measure was passed along with other items as part of the consent agenda with no discussion. RESOURCE LINK

Like some other work vehicles, tow trucks are required to stop at weigh stations. A Florida man allegedly didn’t abide by this rule, and now stands accused in federal court of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, a crime that carries with it a mandatory minimum of five years in federal prison. According to a complaint sworn out by Elizabeth Strickland, a Drug Enforcement Administration task force officer, Ira Bernarg Rivers was behind the wheel of a tow truck with Florida registration, towing a Lincoln LS from Jacksonville, Fla., which Rivers told law enforcement he was taking to someone waiting for him at a Richmond, Va., Pep Boys. Rivers didn’t stop at the weigh station near I-95 mile marker 56 in McIntosh County, leading to a traffic stop by Motor Carrier Officer William Jennings. Jennings smelled marijuana and asked to search the truck’s cab, where he found a vape pen with a vial of liquid THC, along with banded cash. A search of the Lincoln’s trunk turned up a brick of what turned out to be heroin, multiple yellow padded envelopes and vacuum-sealed cash. “Rivers said that an individual named ‘Pat’ was supposed to pay him $8,000 to transport a vehicle from Jacksonville, Fla., to Richmond, Va.,” according to the complaint. “Rivers said he was paid $4,000 initially and was expecting another $4,000 from the person accepting delivery of the car in Virginia. Rivers further said that he met ‘Pat’ at approximately 7:15 a.m. at an apartment complex near the intersection of Dunn Avenue and Harts Road in Jacksonville, Fla. “Rivers said he used the keys and drove the Lincoln LS onto the tow truck. Rivers explained that he then gave the keys back to ‘Pat’ who locked the car. ‘Pat’ told Rivers that there was ‘300 coin’ in the vehicle. Rivers explained that the term ‘coin’ was street lingo for money, and Rivers believed there was between $50,000 and $100,000 in the vehicle. ‘Pat’ then paid Rivers $4,000. Rivers explained that he thought there could be drugs in the vehicle.” Rivers also told investigators he’s a “multiple-pound marijuana dealer.” In addition to the vape pen and heroin, law enforcement seized $4,000 out of the truck cab, $1,000 from Rivers himself and $327,780 in cash from the trunk of the Lincoln. Rivers’ bond hearing is scheduled for Friday at 1 p.m. RESOURCE LINK

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The shooter was described as a bald man between 45 and 50 years old wearing a navy blue baseball cap and black eyeglasses, police said. One tow truck driver shot out another’s tire during an argument Monday in Grand Crossing on the South Side. The two towing operators were arguing about 9:15 a.m. in the 7700 block of South South Chicago Avenue when one of them pulled out a gun and shot the front driver’s-side tire of the other truck, according to Chicago police. No injuries were reported. The shooter then drove off in his own truck, police said. He was described as a bald man between 45 and 50 years old wearing a navy blue baseball cap and black eyeglasses, police said. Police have recovered shell casings from the scene of the shooting, but no one is in custody as Area South detectives continue to investigate. RESOURCE LINK

HOUSTON - One man is dead and another is a person of interest after a hit and run crash in north Houston. According to authorities, the crash happened around 10:30 p.m. Sunday on the North Freeway near Mt. Houston. When police arrived, they found a man in the road. He had been struck by a vehicle. He was transported to a hospital where he later died. A tow truck driver who witnessed the incident followed the driver to a home in the Imperial Valley area and alerted authorities, police said. Officers said they detained and questioned that driver before releasing him. That man remains a person of interest in the case. Investigators are working to determine why the driver fled and if he was impaired at the time of the crash. RESOURCE LINK

With only 10 days remaining, only 380 bills have gone through the entire process and are on the Governor’s desk. The last time the Texas Legislature passed fewer was in the 1800s. We filed several bills, but it was really a session that was weighted toward killing bills. This session, we tracked 80 bills that could have had an impact on the towing and storage industry. Below are some of which we were actively involved. HB 61 by James White relating to the use of certain lighting equipment on escort flag vehicles. While this bill was centered around escort flag vehicles and the lights they use during the course of their work the changes made to this bill will also allow for tow trucks to use amber and blue lights. We worked with the Texas Municipal Police Association on this measure, and our member Geoff Nienstedt worked hard with local law enforcement officials to gain support in allowing tow truck drivers to use blue lights. HB 61 was signed by the Governor on May 7th and will become law on September 1, 2019. HB 625 by Neave relating to notice and request for a hearing regarding a vehicle that has been towed or booted, would have allowed a person to submit a written request for a hearing concerning a towed car within 60 days of the date the vehicle was towed, excluding weekends and holidays, provided that the vehicle that had been released from the vehicle storage facility to which it was towed within 20 days. We know what you are thinking. That is extremely convoluted and doesn’t make much sense. Southwest Tow Operators opposed this bill in committee and member, Tasha Moore, testified in opposition to the bill. HB 626 by Neave relating to notice of a person’s right to a hearing placed on a sign prohibiting unauthorized vehicles on a parking facility. Southwest Tow Operators legislative team worked to oppose this bill. The bill never received a hearing. HB 1140 by Tracy King relates to fees for vehicles stored at vehicle storage facilities; authorizing fee increases and decreases; eliminating a fee; eliminating a minimum fee. Southwest Tow Operators was very supportive of this measure as it moved through the process. HB 1140 would allow TDLR to adjust the storage fee for impounded vehicles. This bill was passed out of the Senate Business and Commerce Committee today and will be heading to the full Senate for debate and final passage. HB 2807 by Guillen relating to regulation and liability of certain vehicles on a highway. Representative Guillen filed this bill on behalf of Southwest Tow Operators. HB 2807 would have changed the penalties for move over violations. This bill was heard in the House Licensing and Administration Committee but was faced by opposition in the Local Calendar Committee by some members. Representative Guillen amended the language on one of his other bills, but that bill died in the Senate, unfortunately. The legislative session will conclude on Memorial Day, but our work does not end there. We will set our agenda for the next 18 months so that we will be ready to fill bills in the next session. Southwest Tow Operators will continue to work hard on your behalf in Austin.

Towing & Recovery Association of South Carolina Press Release: Thanks to all that attended the TRASC meeting last night at the Myrtle Beach Tow Show. Sergeant Catoe with the SC State Police was an entertaining speaker for sure. He provided our attending members with information that clarified a lot of confusion in our industry, and we are so grateful for this opportunity to collaborate with other organizations. And, we welcome Wes Wilburn as our newest Honorary TRASC member. We are proud of his commitment to educating South Carolina towers to work safer and smarter.

The Empire State Towing & Recovery Association Tow Show is once again held in Lake George. Tow trucks from all over northeastern U.S. will be on display during the Tow Show, set for Friday, May 31 through Sunday, June 2. Featured will be tow trucks decked out with custom paint, decorative lighting and elaborate accessories. Antique tow trucks will also be on display. All will be vying for prizes in the Tow Show’s annual “Beauty Contest,” in which vehicles’ exterior and interior appearance as well as engine detailing are judged. The ESTRA event also includes a trade show featuring dozens manufacturers and suppliers serving tow operators, plus technical and safety seminars. The tow show’s hours are from 2-6 p.m. on Friday, May 31, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 1, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 2. TOW SHOW PAGE: https://www.estratowshow.com/

Majestic Towing was able to lift the tractor off the woman within 15-20 minutes of emergency responders arriving. RESOURCE LINK with video

Wrong-way driver on I-280 nearly hits tow truck in 80 mph close call. For Anthony Archibald, the sight of a wrong-way driver speeding toward him on a highway in Morris County was too much to process. “I’m like are you kidding me?” Archibald, 40, of Hopatcong, said on Monday. “It was coming at me 80 miles an hour, six inches away from my truck. It was surreal.” Archibald said the close call occurred about 3:20 a.m. Sunday as he drove his tow truck on Route 280 East in Parsippany looking to make some money helping stranded motorists. “He was in the fast lane traveling in the opposite direction as the rest of traffic. People were pulling over to get out of this guy’s way,” Archibald said. “It’s a miracle nobody was killed,” he said. Archibald, who works for Ajaco Towing, said his newly purchased dashboard camera captured the glaring headlights of the wrong-way driver coming at him. He said he got the camera in case he’s involved in an accident “or for something crazy like this.” “I watched it after I pulled over. It was incredible,” he said. But first Archibald called New Jersey State Police to report the driver. The call was also recorded on his dashcam. “There’s a guy on the east side of 280 racing up the highway in the wrong direction onto 80,” he told a State Police dispatcher. “I don’t know what kind of car it was, but he passed me (going) at least 80 miles an hour.” Archibald said his dashcam later captured a driver pulled over on Route 80. He believes the traffic stop involved the same driver. A State Police spokesman said a driver had been arrested and charged with DWI after driving the wrong way Sunday morning on Route 80 East in Roxbury Township. However, the spokesman could not confirm the man was the same driver Archibald reported traveling the wrong way on Route 280 East in Parsippany. RESOURCE LINK with video

$250K Lottery Win Leads to Hollerin', Tears and Jubilation For Burlington Couple Jerry Hughes says him and his girlfriend Donna will use the money to take a cruise, go to Hawaii and place into savings. BURLINGTON, N.C. — A Burlington man says some good karma led him to a $250,000 lottery win last weekend. Jerry Hughes and his girlfriend Donna were riding their motorcycles in the Duffy Charity Ride on Saturday when they stopped for gas. Hughes bought four 20X The Cash tickets at Huff's Interstate on East Maple Avenue in Burlington. Just before the ride started back up, Hughes scratched the first ticket and saw he had won. A celebration broke out with some “hollerin',” some tears, and then congratulations. “All of our friends were there saying, ‘If anybody deserves this, it’s you, Jerry,’” said Donna. “He’s helped out so many people.” "Karma,” Hughes said of why he won. “You do good, you get good. You do bad, you get bad. And I believe it.” Hughes, who owns and runs a tow truck company, took home $176,876 after taxes. Hughes says him and Donna will use the money to take a cruise, go to Hawaii and place into savings. RESOURCE LINK

New Haven man dies after forklift falls on top of him at Branford auto repair shop

A tow truck driver died in a crash on Interstate 35E in Dallas Monday morning. A sedan and a tow truck crashed on I-35E about 2:45 a.m. and the tow truck left the roadway, across the southbound N. Stemmons Freeway at Empire Central. It crashed through the guardrail and into trees in front of a Taco Bell, police said. The tow truck driver was killed in the crash. Dallas County Sheriff's Office is investigating. RESOURCE LINK with video

The Story I will add below is poorly written, the video is more detailed. Tow Truck Driver finds suspicious vehicle and alerts police. The headline is the Tow Truck Driver finds body inside the trunk of a car in northeast Harris County. However the Tow Truck Driver actually found the vehicle with the doors unlocked, noticed blood around the trunk area and called police who found the mans body inside. I do not believe the Tow Truck Driver actually opened the truck, though I could be wrong. The story does not confirm that to be the case. Click the resource link for a news video. One will be added here when available. Does anyone know the company & driver? Authorities are investigating the death of a man found in the trunk of a car in northeast Harris County. A tow truck driver made the discovery around 3 a.m. off of Furay Road near Mt. Houston Road. The tow truck driver saw dried blood near the trunk of the car and call 911. Deputies arrived to find a man dead in the trunk. RESOURCE LINK with video

Florida man arrested for striking Virginia tow truck driver on I-95 6:47 am, April 30, 2019, HENRICO COUNTY, Va. — An 85-year-old Florida man was arrested for a hit-and-run that injured a Virginia tow truck driver on Interstate 95. “After an extensive follow up investigation [law enforcement] identified and charged the suspect driver in the April 20, 2019 hit-and-run in Henrico County. On April 29, 2019, Trooper S. Martin charged Robert Lee Longnecker, 85, of Panama City, Fla., with one felony count of hit-and-run and reckless driving,” a Virginia State Police spokesperson said. “Longnecker was transported to Henrico County Jail, where he was released on his own recognizance. The incident remains under investigation.” Longnecker, according to police, was driving the vehicle that hit a tow truck driver on northbound I-95 north of the Parham Road exit in Henrico County on April 20. “The preliminary investigation reveals that the wrecker driver was assisting a disabled 2019 Newmar RV located on the right shoulder when he was struck by a vehicle,” a Virginia State police spokesperson said. “The striking vehicle did not stop and may have continued northbound I-95 or took the exit to I-295.” The tow truck driver was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. An update on his condition has not yet been released. RESOURCE LINK