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Tower Down 26 Days After Being Struck - 02.26.21 (FL) "Updated 02.27.23"


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Tow truck driver, mechanic struck by car while removing dump truck from highway

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ORLANDO, Fla. — A tow truck driver and a mechanic were seriously injured when they were both hit by a car on State Road 408 in Orlando Monday afternoon.

 

Police responded to Westbound SR 408 at Rosalind Ave. just after noon for reports of a crash.

 

Investigators say the tow truck driver and mechanic were on foot in the Rosalind Ave. exit lane working to remove a dump truck from the roadway.

 

Despite emergency vehicles with lights activated blocking traffic, for unknown reasons, a red ’96 Buick Century traveling westbound entered the exit lane and hit both workers before crashing into the tow truck.

 

The tow truck driver and the mechanic were taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

 

The driver of the Buick was also taken to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

 

All of the westbound lanes of SR-408 were closed for hours while rescue crews worked to extricate the driver and police conducted their investigation into what caused them to drive through the area.

 

That investigation is ongoing.

 

RESOURCE LINK

 

Workers, driver injured after car drove through blocked exit on SR 408 in downtown Orlando, cops say

 

Traffic on westbound State Road 408 near Rosalind Avenue in downtown Orlando was backed up Monday afternoon after a car entered a restricted zone and hit two workers and and a tow truck, according to the Orlando Police Department.

Around 12:15 p.m., a driver in a red Buick Century heading west on State Road 408 drove through emergency vehicles blocking the exit to Rosalind Avenue and onto the ramp, police said.

Firefighters had to extricate the Buick’s driver from their car, the department said. The driver was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, police said.

Responders have not publicly released information identifying the injured people.

The crash appeared to cause severe damage to the Buick. An Orlando Sentinel reader provided a photo that showed the roof of the car ripped off and front smashed in.

Police continue to investigate the crash. The crash closed lanes of traffic on S.R. 408 for several hours Monday, but all lanes had been reopened by late afternoon.

 

Message from Johnson's Wrecker Service, Orlando, FL

 

The Johnson’s wrecker family would like to ask that you keep our driver Austin Gayne in your thoughts and prayers, he was struck while working a call. Please remember when you see those lights flashing on the side of the road to use caution and move over! It could make the difference between us making it home to see our loved ones or not!

 

 

 

 

 

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Too much of this still happening. We need active enforcement of Move Over laws. My thoughts and prayers are with this Highway Hero. 

  • Like 1

I have been in the towing industry for over 25 years. I am originally from the Austin, TX market, but am now in the Houston, TX market. 

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I truly believe if everyone that fails to comply with the law of Move over and in doing so harm or worse take the life of anyone working a scene, should have to 1. Pay all cost of the accident

2. Lose thier DL for life

3. Do some sort of service in the industry 

4. Be a speaker and tell the story of how they were unable to comply with the law, at move over fundraiser and awareness events.

It seems that  the general population believe somthing magical happens when they get behind a wheel and they are invincible and invisible.

If on the 3 min. maybe 5 min. Of air time each accident receives on the news they included a snippet of the offenders future then maybe we could make the transition between sympathy and Driver awareness.

 

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Praying for a full and speedy recovery for our injured brothers. 

The ramp was purportidly CLOSED.... These types of incidents are becoming MORE common as of late.. How is it these people are intruding into/onto CLOSED roads and ramps??? 

That "false" sense of security we tend to get on closed roads and such ( I am guilty of it myself ) Is getting us hit all too often lately..

WATCH YOURSELVES BROTHERS!!!!! No matter where it is you are!!! 

  • Like 1

PROFESSIONAL TOWING & RECOVERY IS NOT JUST A JOB.. IT IS A LIFESTYLE

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  • 4 weeks later...
On 2/2/2021 at 4:58 AM, TowNews said:

Tow truck driver, mechanic struck by car while removing dump truck from highway

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ORLANDO, Fla. — A tow truck driver and a mechanic were seriously injured when they were both hit by a car on State Road 408 in Orlando Monday afternoon.

 

Police responded to Westbound SR 408 at Rosalind Ave. just after noon for reports of a crash.

 

Investigators say the tow truck driver and mechanic were on foot in the Rosalind Ave. exit lane working to remove a dump truck from the roadway.

 

Despite emergency vehicles with lights activated blocking traffic, for unknown reasons, a red ’96 Buick Century traveling westbound entered the exit lane and hit both workers before crashing into the tow truck.

 

The tow truck driver and the mechanic were taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

 

The driver of the Buick was also taken to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

 

All of the westbound lanes of SR-408 were closed for hours while rescue crews worked to extricate the driver and police conducted their investigation into what caused them to drive through the area.

 

That investigation is ongoing.

 

RESOURCE LINK

 

Workers, driver injured after car drove through blocked exit on SR 408 in downtown Orlando, cops say

 

Traffic on westbound State Road 408 near Rosalind Avenue in downtown Orlando was backed up Monday afternoon after a car entered a restricted zone and hit two workers and and a tow truck, according to the Orlando Police Department.

Around 12:15 p.m., a driver in a red Buick Century heading west on State Road 408 drove through emergency vehicles blocking the exit to Rosalind Avenue and onto the ramp, police said.

Firefighters had to extricate the Buick’s driver from their car, the department said. The driver was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, police said.

Responders have not publicly released information identifying the injured people.

The crash appeared to cause severe damage to the Buick. An Orlando Sentinel reader provided a photo that showed the roof of the car ripped off and front smashed in.

Police continue to investigate the crash. The crash closed lanes of traffic on S.R. 408 for several hours Monday, but all lanes had been reopened by late afternoon.

 

Message from Johnson's Wrecker Service, Orlando, FL

 

The Johnson’s wrecker family would like to ask that you keep our driver Austin Gayne in your thoughts and prayers, he was struck while working a call. Please remember when you see those lights flashing on the side of the road to use caution and move over! It could make the difference between us making it home to see our loved ones or not!

 

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🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾We’ll take it from here RIP BROTHER 

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I wonder how many people are unaware of this law. Common sense aside. I think the DMV in every state should send out a letter to all registered drivers explaining this law and infraction cost in detail. I also believe the ticket should be $500.00 - $1000.00 for a first offense. I hope the two injured make a full recovery. 🙏

Edited by MP007
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  • 3 weeks later...

Family wants to remind drivers to move over and slow down for emergency vehicles

 

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A fundraiser was held Sunday for a tow truck driver who died from his injuries from a crash on Feb. 1.

 

Police said 24-year-old Austin Gayne was hit while he was in the process of towing a dump truck.

 

The father of three died from his injuries at the hospital.

 

More than $3,600 was raised for Gayne’s family at the fundraiser on Sunday.

 

His family wants to remind drivers to move over and slow down for emergency vehicles.

 

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  • 9 months later...
  • 10 months later...

Memorial marker to honor Orlando tow truck operator killed last year

 

Highway memorial marker unveiled in honor of 24-year-old Austin Gayne

 

 

ORLANDO, Fla. – The push to have a highway memorial marker in honor of 24-year-old Austin Gayne finally happened after the measure passed the state legislature earlier this year.

 

During an event hosted by the Orlando Fire Department, Gayne’s mother, Brooke Lawrence, revealed the marker that will be placed near the exit off of the 408 that leads to Rosalind Avenue.

 

“We didn’t give up. She didn’t give up. She was right there fighting, saying, ‘We need to get this done,” said Bob Cortes, Seminole County’s senior public affairs administrator. Cortes worked with the family to help them honor their son with a memorial marker.

 

“This is something that his children, when they start driving, they’ll be able to see,” Lawrence said. “It’s just about keeping his memory alive.”

 

Gayne was a tow truck operator for Johnson Wrecker. On Feb. 1, 2021, Gayne was called to assist at the scene of a crash on State Road 408 in Orlando, where he was struck and killed by a driver.

 

The unveiling brought together local legislators, law enforcement officials, state representatives, family members and those who worked with Gayne.

 

“He was a great guy, the kind of guy that a dad’s proud of, a mom is proud of, and us at Johnson’s, we were proud of,” Eric Lucas, a coworker of Gayne, said while holding back tears.

 

Speakers like Sen. Tom Wright, Rep. Anna Eskamani and Capt. Mark Castleberry of Florida Highway Patrol focused on the Slow Down Move Over Law, which requires drivers to move to the next lane or slow down when emergency or utility vehicles are on the side of the road.

 

“It is not only the law, but it’s the right thing to do. Our law enforcement, tow truck drivers, first responders, sanitation workers and utility service vehicles need the space and safety when responding to calls for service,” Castleberry said.

 

FHP reported that from January 2015 to October 2022, there have been 1,492 crashes where a driver was issued a citation for failing to move over for an emergency sanitation or utility service vehicle. Of those crashes, seven were fatal.

 

“So far for 2022, there have been 11,712 citations issued. The largest age group for this violation is drivers between the ages of 20-29,” Castleberry said.

 

In Florida, the Slow Down Move Over Law went into effect in 2002. Violating the law can result in a fine and points on a driving record.

 

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  • 2 months later...

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