Tower Down - 03.27.21 (CA) "UPDATED 04.01.21"

[TowNews]

CHP: Tow truck driver killed on I-5 while at work, suspected DUI driver arrested

 

 

SOUTH SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KTXL) — A tow truck driver was struck and killed Saturday night while servicing a vehicle on Interstate 5.

 

The California Highway Patrol said a 40-year-old male tow truck driver was responding to a disabled vehicle call at around 11:40 p.m. on the right shoulder of northbound I-5 near Seamas Avenue.

 

Officers said the tow truck driver was standing on the driver’s side of the truck when he and his truck were hit by a Chrysler mini-van.

 

CHP said the tow truck driver was thrown into the northbound lanes of the highway and died from his injuries.

 

The driver of the mini-van, 46-year-old Larry Godbold, was uninjured and stayed at the scene of the crash but refused to give a statement to officers, according to officials.

 

CHP officers said during their investigation Godbold showed symptoms of alcohol intoxication and arrested him on multiple charges including gross vehicular manslaughter.

 

The driver of the disabled vehicle who requested the tow truck service told officers that the tow truck had its amber lights activated at the time of the crash and was pulled over onto the shoulder in front of the disabled vehicle.

 

CHP officials reminded the public about California’s “Move Over” law.

 

The law requires drivers who are approaching a stopped emergency vehicle displaying emergency lights, a stopped tow truck displaying amber lights or a stopped CalTrans vehicle displaying amber lights, must make a lane change into another available lane, according to officials.

 

If drivers can’t make a lane change, CHP officials said they must slow down to a safe speed.

 

The identity of the victim will be released by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office once next of kin is notified.

 

RESOURCE LINK

 

Video courtesy of Public Safety News:

 

A Message from Todd Leiss of Public Safety News:

Emergency Responder Struck-By death #12 of 2021 (7 law enforcement officers, 4 tow truck operators and 1 SSP operator)

 

12 emergency responders in the first 87 days of 2021 or 1 emergency responder struck and killed every SEVEN days, this does not include all the emergency responders who are struck ans injured each and every day while helping others.

 

UPDATED: The Emergency Responder Struck-By death count increased to 13 asTrooper Joseph Gallagher, struck on December 18, 2017 has succumbed to his injuries on March 27, 2021 and becomes the 13th struck-by LODD of 2021.

 

(8 law enforcement, 4 tow operators, 1 SSP operator)

13 senseless emergency responder struck-by deaths in 87 days.

 

 

[TowZone]

CHP -  South Sacramento Released this statement about an hour ago:

 

 

Fatal Traffic Collision Involving a Tow Truck Driver

On 3/27/2021 at approximately 11:40 pm, a 40 year old male out of Sacramento, a driver for a local tow truck company, responded to a call of a disabled vehicle on the right shoulder of NB I-5 at Seamas Ave. The driver of the disabled vehicle, later related to investigating officers that the tow truck pulled in front of his car with amber lights activated. Larry Godbold, 46 years old out of Sacramento, drove a Town and County Mini-Van northbound on I-5 in the #4 lane approaching the tow truck and disabled vehicle on the right shoulder. The tow truck driver was standing on the driver side of the tow truck when the right front of the Chrysler struck the tow truck and the driver. The impact threw the tow truck driver into the northbound lanes of I-5, and he sustained fatal injuries (pronounced by Sacramento Fire Department.) Godbold remained at the scene and stated he did not have any injuries; however, he refused to provide a statement regarding the collision. Officers at the scene observed signs and symptoms of alcohol intoxication and placed Godbold under arrest for suspicion of felony DUI and Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated and was later booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail. The identity of the deceased will be released by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office once next of kin is notified.

[cdanberg1971]

People need respect and move over they dont do thst here in utah plus we will carry chain's from here brother rest in.peace

[auto rescue]

My Condolences to those who suffered a loss.

[Steve Catlett]

Very sorry another tower has lost his life prayers

[mooresbp]

Our thoughts and prayers

[fenderbendr6]

My condolences to the family.

[TowZone]

 

[5towman]

Another senseless tragedy. Please be age out there. 

[GRUMPS The Towman]

Rest easy brother. 

My thoughts are with this operators family and friends. I pray the man responsible for taking his life never sees the light of day again.

This madness MUST STOP. 

[yoBdaBenO]

Our Condolences to the family, friends and coworkers. Is this becoming common in California or have I just seen more of these topics about California Towers being struck.

[Steve Catlett]

This is such a tragedy this gentleman should be home with his family. People justdont care about us.