TowNews

Two people were killed and a third taken to the hospital after a crash involving a car and a tow truck on the Raleigh Beltline early Tuesday morning. The Raleigh Police Department has identified those killed as 19-year-old India Simone McBride and 20-year-old Dearia Takayla Davis. According to a preliminary investigation, McBride was driving a 2010 Honda Civic the wrong way on Interstate 440, going west in the eastbound lanes between New Bern Avenue and I-87 shortly after 1:30 a.m., according to a news release. The driver of a Ford flatbed tow truck was driving eastbound on I-440 when the two vehicles collided head-on. The tow truck driver was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. A third vehicle also struck the disabled Honda Civic in the roadway after the initial collision, the release stated. The driver was not injured. No charges have been filed. This case remains under investigation. RESOURCE LINK

Tow-truck driver fatally shot in armpit while driving in West Loop, crashed into bus stop CHICAGO — A tow-truck driver was fatally shot in the armpit while he was driving near the West Loop Sunday night. According to police, the 49-year-old man was driving a tow-truck, heading westbound around the 1900 West Fulton Street around 10:47 p.m. when unknown individuals in two different cars began shooting at him and fled. Police said he sustained a gunshot wound to the left armpit and crashed into a bus stop. The man was taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition where he was pronounced dead a short time later. No one is in custody and police are investigating the incident. RESOURCE LINK

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Driver gets 6¼ years in hit-run death of woman exiting his tow truck in Minneapolis He is expected to serve slightly more than 3 1⁄2 years of his term in prison and the balance on supervised release. A man charged in the hit-and-run death of a woman who stepped out of his moving tow truck in south Minneapolis has been given a term of more than six years. Jordan A. Jewell, 27, of Arden Hills, was sentenced Monday in Hennepin County District Court to a 6¼-year term in connection with the death of 42-year-old Stacy A. Morrison, of St. Paul, on Aug. 21, 2021. With credit for time in jail since his arrest, Jewell is expected to serve slightly more than 3½ years of his term in prison and the balance on supervised release. Jewell was a probationary employee with Cedar Towing and was fired after the incident, a company spokeswoman said. It is not clear why Morrison was in the tow truck. Court records show Jewell has numerous other convictions in Minnesota including for theft and drug offenses. His driving history also includes convictions for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, operating a motorcycle without proper licensing and driving with a suspended license. Jewell's license was valid at the time of the alleged hit-and-run. According to the criminal complaint: Police and paramedics were sent to Bloomington Avenue S. and E. Lake Street, where Morrison was in the street and soon declared dead. Surveillance video showed Jewell's truck heading south on Bloomington toward Lake shortly after 1 a.m., when the passenger door opened and Morrison "exited the moving tow truck and was then struck by the back tires," the complaint read. Jewell drove off but returned "some minutes later" to within a block of the incident only to leave again, the complaint continued. He told police he picked up Morrison and she soon got out as he kept driving. He denied being aware that he ran over her. When asked about returning to the scene, Jewell said he saw people gather there but didn't know why. Resource Link

Ottawa police had tow trucks ready to remove semis before Emergencies Act: officer Two Ottawa police officers and an Ontario Provincial Police member are slated to testify at the inquiry investigating the federal government’s unprecedented use of the Emergencies Act. OTTAWA - A senior Ottawa officer told the Emergencies Act inquiry Tuesday that police had tow trucks at the ready before the federal government invoked the Emergencies Act and would have moved on protesters with or without the new powers. Supt. Robert Bernier, who oversaw the Ottawa police command centre for a portion of the “Freedom Convoy” demonstrations in February, said he would have carried out a preplanned police operation even if the law had not been invoked. He also said he didn’t need the federal government to compel truck drivers to remove vehicles that were entrenched in the downtown core, because police had already assembled 34 tow trucks with willing drivers. But Bernier also told the commission during an interview that the emergency declaration may have convinced protesters to stay away from downtown Ottawa and be more compliant with police. During the convoy Ottawa police said one of their limitations to bring the protests to an end was an unwillingness of tow truck drivers to help move hundreds of vehicles blocking the streets around Parliament Hill. The Emergencies Act, which was invoked Feb. 14, granted temporary and extraordinary powers to police and governments to end the demonstrations. That included allowing police and city officials to commandeer tow trucks to move big rigs and other vehicles, if the towing operators still refused. Bernier is the latest police witness to testify about their experience during nearly three weeks in late January and early February. The “Freedom Convoy” was a name coined by some of the demonstrators, who were massing in Ottawa to demand an end to all COVID-19 restrictions. Some in the various groups also wanted the Liberal government and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau thrown out of office, while others carried signs demanding Trudeau be tried for treason. Previous officers testified there was a lack of informed intelligence and dysfunction in the ranks of Ottawa police from the early days of the protest. Bernier said that he was told “not to worry,” after raising concerns over what he called a bizarre disconnect between intelligence reports warning about the “Freedom Convoy” and the plans to deal with it. Bernier told another senior officer there could be “serious disruptions” but was told police had contact with the protest organizers, who were compliant and planning to leave after one weekend, according to a written summary submitted to the Public Order Emergency Commission. Ottawa Police Service Insp. Russell Lucas said earlier on Tuesday that while he felt the first few days of the “Freedom Convoy” were managed well, police missed an opportunity to shrink the area of the protest when crowds thinned out after the first weekend. Lucas, who was an incident commander during the convoy, said he was shocked by how many vehicles arrived and said police were overwhelmed trying to control them. He said close to 5,000 vehicles tried entering Ottawa on Jan. 29, the first major day of demonstrations, and that many were stopped travelling from Quebec. He also said police only had a week to prepare for the protest, comparing it to his experience planning for the 2016 North American Leaders Summit in Ottawa, which he said unfolded over months. Lucas’s statements come after testimony from other senior Ottawa officers painted a picture of police struggling to gather intelligence and plan for the event, and lacking both resources and a contingency plan in the event protesters did not leave. Interim chief Steve Bell said Monday the police expected the protesters to be peaceful and leave after three days but that’s not what happened. He said the police did not properly prepare for the effect the protests would have on local residents, including violence. But the commission has also heard that a local hotel association warned police ahead of the convoy’s arrival that protesters were booking rooms for 30 days. And intelligence prepared by Ontario Provincial Police and submitted as evidence as part of the inquiry flagged the “Freedom Convoy” was deemed “high risk” for traffic disruptions and illegal activity. Some Ottawa police officers have said those reports were not seen by senior officers in Ottawa until after the protest already descended on the city. Confusion over what police knew and whether they were communicating has extended beyond the commission. In a March meeting of the House of Commons public safety committee, OPP commissioner Thomas Carrique said his intelligence unit identified the Freedom Convoy on Feb. 7 as a “threat to national security.” But the head of the OPP intelligence unit, Supt. Pat Morris, has now told the public inquiry there was never any “credible” information showing there was a national security threat. On Monday, MPs on the public safety committee voted unanimously to seek a response from the OPP about those conflicting statements. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 25, 2022. Resource Link

AAA is launching a campaign to implement and broaden "move-over" laws that require drivers to slow down and veer around disabled vehicles on the side of the road, including Michigan, which has a policy but it only applies to slowing down for emergency vehicles. AAA reports that about 25% of motorists nationwide don't know about move-over laws in their own states. Michigan has its own move-over law, requiring drivers to slow down to 10 mph below the posted speed limit and move over to an open lane when approaching a stationary authorized vehicle with flashing, rotating, or oscillating lights. "For years, Slow Down, Move Over efforts have focused on emergency responders, and it’s critical that we continue to protect these individuals who come to the aid of motorists," said Scott VerBracken, Vice President of Automotive Services for AAA. "But as motorists get flat tires, break down, run out of gas, or find themselves otherwise in trouble at the roadside, they also face the dangerous elements of high-speed traffic and need the same protection." Drivers kill almost 350 people standing outside a disabled vehicle every year and 97% of drivers stopped on the side of the road report they are concerned about vehicles passing at high speeds, according to an AAA news release. The "Move Over for Me" campaign will aim to educate people about move-over laws, broaden them and get one passed in every state and the District of Columbia, the news release said. Michigan's move-over law applies to authorized emergency vehicles from police, fire, rescue, ambulance and road service agencies. AAA is asking drivers to slow down and move over for all motorists with disabled vehicles on the roadside with their hazard lights on in addition to first responders. The "Move Over for Me" campaign launched in October and features messaging with familiar roadside scenarios like getting a flat tire, having engine trouble and running out of gas. The initiative's message is visible on social media and service vehicles, at community events, in the Auto Club Group’s AAA Living magazine and in AAA retail facilities. AAA and the Towing and Recovery Association of America are also working to establish a national Move Over Law Day through a federal resolution. One tow truck driver is killed every other week while providing roadside assistance and a national day would remind motorists to pay attention and move over for others on the side of the road, according to the AAA news release. The AAA Auto Club Group is hosting an event at their Dearborn headquarters on Nov. 15 to highlight the importance of Michigan's move-over law featuring first responders from several agencies. Resource Link

Nebraska drivers urged to move over for fellow motorists in new push to save lives

Crash shuts down part of Pennsylvania Turnpike in Lebanon County UPDATE | Officials say the left lane has reopened, but the right lane remains closed. Authorities say there is a 5 mile delay and drivers should expect stopped or slowed traffic. PREVIOUS COVERAGE | A crash in Lebanon County has shut down a portion of the Pennsylvania Turnpike on Thursday. According to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, the crash occurred at around 3:32 p.m. involving a box truck and a tow truck that was hauling another vehicle. The crash occurred on I-76 at the 275.3-mile marker between Reading exit No. 286 and the Lancaster-Lebanon exit No. 266. Westbound lanes are closed from mile markers 275.3 and 277.5. Stay tuned to CBS 21 News for more information when it becomes available. Resource Link

Florida’s chief financial officer and state fire marshal has written to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) saying salt water reacting with batteries in EVs may be a “ticking time bomb” and cause more fires. Jimmy Patronis said in a statement there would inevitably be more fires following Hurricane Ian as lithium batteries corroded as a result of exposure to salt water. There are large numbers of damaged or submerged EVs following the storm. “I…saw with my own eyes an EV continuously ignite, and continually reignite, as fire teams doused the vehicle with tens-of-thousands of gallons of water. Subsequently, I was informed by the fire department that the vehicle once again reignited when it was loaded onto the tow truck. “Based on my conversations with area firefighters, this is not an isolated incident. As you can appreciate, I am very concerned that we may have a ticking time bomb on our hands.” He said initial research by his office suggests that much of the guidance on submerged vehicles does not address specific risks associated with exposure of EVs to salt water. He asked whether: the NHTSA had directed EV companies to immediately tell consumers of dangers related to a vehicle impacted by storm surge the personal protective equipment, including gas masks used by fire rescue teams, effectively protect from poisonous gases search teams need to arrange immediate removal of EVs from incidents. He also requested guidance on where compromised EVs should be taken to burn out. He said as state fire marshal, he must ensure local fire teams have all the equipment needed and concluded: “Your responses may be the difference between life and death.” Resource Link

Two women are dead and another man is seriously injured after the SUV they were riding in was rear-ended by a tow truck on I-93 in Boston Saturday night. According to a news release from the Massachusetts State Police, the two women, identified as Delanie Fekert, 25, of Floral Park, N.Y., and Urashi Madani, 25, of North Andover, were riding in the back seat of the 2007 Lexus RX 400H, which was operating as a ride-share vehicle. The SUV was driving north on I-93 at approximately 10 p.m. when it slowed just south of Exit 20 and was rear-ended by the Kenworth tow truck, which was driving behind it. A 2012 Honda Civic was driving behind the tow truck and struck it at an angle. It was not immediately clear what caused the SUV to slow down. Resource Link

Officer injured after woman suspected of DUI crashes into patrol vehicle SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — An officer was taken to the hospital early Monday morning after a woman suspected of DUI crashed into his patrol vehicle, according to San Diego Police. The crash happened around 1 a.m. as the officer was stopped along I-15 near Friars Road to assist a disabled motorist with a tow truck. A woman driving a Land Rover then crashed into the back of the patrol car, police said. The officer was taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI, police said. RESOURCE LINK

On Wednesday September 7th at 12:30 p.m., Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa will be holding a press conference for his “Crash Site Clean Up” bill. Legislator Nick Caracappa introduced a much needed law that will continue to make our county roads safer and cleaner for all Suffolk County residents. Today, the Suffolk County Legislature unanimously voted in favor of Legislator Caracappa’s local law stating that tow truck operators called to the scene of an accident or disablement shall clean up any debris in the surrounding area resulting from the vehicle(s) they are towing to the satisfaction of the law enforcement or authorized representative on the scene. This includes cleaning up any oil, coolant, or gas that the vehicle(s) involved spilled on the road. Also, the tow truck operators will now be required to carry a liquid absorbing substance, shovel, broom, and a container to collect debris. Legislator Caracappa stated “this bill also addresses the cleanup of traffic control materials such as flares, caution tape and any other objects foreign to the normal roadway and identifies the responsible parties for doing so”. “Remaining accident debris in our roadways becomes a dangerous hazard for motor vehicles and even more so for motorcycles”. “It is incumbent upon all parties to ensure the safest possible passage for our families, friends and loved ones.” Legislator Caracappa extended his gratitude to all those who cooperated and assisted in moving this important legislation forward including, Suffolk County Department of Public Works Commissioner Joseph Brown, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison and Association of Municipal Employees (AME) President Dan Levler. Therefore, the purpose of this law is to ensure that the area/scene will be swept and left clean and free from debris so as to protect the public and future vehicles traveling in the area. RESOURCE LINK

New unemployment filings show no sign of big job losses The number of people who applied for unemployment benefits at the end of August fell to a nine-week low of 232,000, showing no sign that a slowing economy is triggering widespread layoffs. New jobless claims declined by 5,000 in the seven days ended Aug. 27 from a revised 237,000 (initially 242,000) in the prior week. TO READ MORE FOLLOW RESOURCE LINK

NORTH DAKOTA: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28 people in the U.S. die in drunk-driving crashes every day – that is one person every 52 minutes. In an effort to prevent these tragedies, AAA will be reactivating its Tow to Go program for the holiday period. The Tow to Go program provides safe transportation for impaired drivers and their vehicles. Over the lifespan of the program, AAA has removed more than 25,000 impaired drivers from the road. “Driving impaired is never a good idea, especially on a busy holiday weekend. Whatever you do, do not drive impaired. If you cannot find a safe ride, call Tow to Go and AAA can give you a lift,” Waiters said. Tow to Go will be active from 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2 to 6 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6. When called, AAA dispatches a tow truck to transport the would-be impaired driver and their vehicle to a safe location within a 10-mile radius. The service is free, yet AAA asks that it be treated as a backup plan. Tow to Go service areas include: Florida Iowa Michigan North Dakota Nebraska Tennessee Wisconsin Colorado (Denver) North Carolina (Charlotte) Indiana (Fort Wayne/South Bend) Georgia Tow to Go guidelines: Provided from 6p.m. Friday, Sept. 2 to 6a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6 Free and available to AAA members and non-members Confidential local ride for one person and their vehicle to a safe location within a 10-mile radius Appointments cannot be scheduled in advance to use Tow to Go. It is designed as a safety net for those that did not plan ahead. Always choose a designated driver before celebrating In some situations, AAA may need to make other arrangements to get an impaired individual a safe ride home Tow to Go may not be available in rural areas or during severe weather conditions

First it was Tomato's and Now it is Alfredo Sauce. Who worked this spill in Memphis, TN?

Tow truck drivers are fearing for their lives as they claim they are being threatened by ruthless skollies working with rivals over a turf war. Last Thursday, tow truck driver Adeeb Groenemeyer and his girlfriend were shot dead inside his tow truck in Maitland. Groenemeyer worked for Urban Towing and was declared dead on the scene and his wounded girlfriend died in hospital on Saturday. Even though the woman’s family confirmed she had passed away, police spokesperson Wesley Twigg says cases of murder and attempted murder were registered for investigation. “The circumstances surrounding a shooting incident Thursday at about 10.15pm in Koeberg Road, Maitland, where a 38-year-old male was shot and fatally wounded and an unknown female shot and wounded are under investigation,” says Twigg. “According to reports, Maitland Police were called to the crime scene where they found the victims with gunshot wounds to their bodies inside a vehicle. Twigg adds that the suspects are yet to be arrested. When the Daily Voice reached out to the family of the deceased, they said it was a sensitive matter and prefer to not to make a statement as they are fearing for their lives “because big gangsters are involved”. Groenemeyer’s former employer, Gys Smith from CF Towing and chairman of the Gatvol Towers Association said two of his employees had died in 2019 and this year for the same reason. “There are a lot of incidents that happen on a daily basis like shots would be fired on the drivers’ houses, you would go home to sleep and they will come till by your house to threaten you,” says Smith. “Some drivers leave the job and become courier drivers because they fear coming to work because they are told to stay out of certain areas,” says Smith. “There are many police cases but nothing comes of it, other tow truck drivers pay or call in these gangsters to fight their battles for them.” Lance Summers from Summers Towing said that he had to stop his employees from working the night shift because he feared for their safety. “My brother was killed in 2013 on the road and since then I have stopped my drivers from working the night shift to keep them out of harm’s way,” he says. “We have been threatened not by other towers because they are too coward but they use gang affiliations, so these gangsters come in their personal cars and would ask what we are doing in the area, why we are on the road and we need to keep out of the area or sh!t will hit the fan because it is like competition and we have a fear of being killed,” added Summers. RESOURCE LINK

Man, 83, dead after crashing into tow truck from previous crash: police CORAM, N.Y. (1010 WINS) — An 83-year-old man died in Coram Tuesday night when his car struck a parked tow truck that was there to clear the road from a previous crash. ston Pavlo, of Mount Sinai, was headed southbound on County Road 83 when his 2020 Nissan Altima rear-ended the empty truck that was parked in the left lane just south of Mooney Pond Road around 7:30 p.m., Suffolk County police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner. RESOURCE LINK

https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/crime/swat-standoff-in-south-bay/509-cc11f045-19bc-4d25-be1c-b4333d6ae9f6 The Driver is reported to be in stable condition. Was this a Repo or a Private Property Impound?

Police: Danbury tow truck driver, 20, dies in Waterbury wreck with tractor-trailer on I-84 WATERBURY — A 20-year-old Danbury tow truck driver died in a rear-end crash with a tractor-trailer on Interstate 84 Thursday night, state police said. Zachary James Carlson, 20, died at the scene of the wreck, which police said happened shortly before 8:30 p.m. near Exit 23 on the westbound side of the highway in Waterbury. According to the state police, Carlson was driving a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado medium-duty tow truck behind a tractor-trailer when he failed to “slow down due to traffic” and struck the rig in front of him. The driver of the other truck, a 62-year-old Massachusetts resident, was taken to Saint Mary’s Hospital with what state police said were suspected to be minor injuries. State police continue to investigate the crash. Anyone who saw the crash or has any information about it can call Trooper Tyler Paustian at the Troop A barracks in Southbury at 203-267-2200. RESOURCE LINK