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Tower Down - 05.02.21 (TX)


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El Paso man killed after being caught between rear axles of stuck big-rig

 

 

EL PASO, Texas -- A 59-year-old man died after he was caught between the rear axles of a big-rig's trailer that he was helping to move out of traffic, El Paso police said Monday.

 

The deadly incident happened Sunday just before 11 a.m. in the 7400 block of North Mesa near Remcon in west El Paso.

Police said the driver of big rig, 61-year-old Joel Ramirez, was turning west onto North Mesa but failed to lift the trailer's support wheels before exiting and the wheels became stuck on the sidewalk. That's when tow-truck driver Carlos Olague came to dislodge the trailer.

 

Police said as Olague attempted to remove the trailer, he and Ramirez had a miscommunication and Ramirez rolled the big-rig forward while Olague was between the rear axles.

 

Olague's right leg was run over by the rear tires of the trailer; he was taken to the hospital where police said he later died.

 

RESOURCE LINK with video

 

El Paso Police Department *** PRESS RELEASE ***

21st Traffic Fatality
Date: 05/02/2021
Time: 10:52 AM
Location: 7400 N. Mesa St.
Vehicle: 2016 Freightliner Cascadia 125 / 2011 Hyundai Trailer
Driver: 61 –year old Joel Ramirez of the 5400 block of Thornridge Cir.
Deceased: 59 –year old Carlos Olague of Socorro, Texas
 
EL PASO, Texas — Special Traffic Investigators responded to 7400 N. Mesa St. yesterday morning on the city’s latest traffic fatality. Investigators learned 61 –year old Joel Ramirez was operating a tractor-trailer, attempting to turn west on Mesa out of a business parking lot. Ramirez had failed to lift the landing gear from the trailer before leaving the business and became stuck on the sidewalk as he exited, blocking the southbound lanes of Mesa. AD Towing and Recovery driver, 59 –year old Carlos Olague, responded to the scene to assist in removing the vehicle. As Olague worked to dislodge the vehicle, he and Ramirez had a miscommunication leading to Ramirez pulling the vehicle forward while Olague was between the rear axles. Olague’s right leg was run over by the vehicle, causing serious injuries. Olague was transported to University Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries. This is the 21st traffic fatality of 2021 compared to 24 this time last year.

 

A Message from AD Towing & Recovery, El Paso, TX

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the tragic loss of Driver/Operator “Flaco”he was a valued team member of AD Towing & Recovery. He will be greatly missed by many.
Carlos “Flaco” Olague
Heavy Division Unit 41
We ask that you keep his family and friends in your prayers during this difficult time
RIP “Flaco” 5-2-21
181194835_1861068860720956_3773167024250

 

Tribute Found On TikToK

 

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Sad, I'd like to know more about how this occurred so it does not happen to another tow op.

 

But, now is not the time for that discussion. Now is the time to send our thoughts and prayers.

 

Gods Speed Flaco, would rather have ridden with you here. Might find you on the other side. RIP BROTHER!

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I don't understand how this accident occurred. I did hear it was a matter of miscommunication. Some I have seen blaming the trucker, I need to know why the tow op was in a position such as this one. Was this a case of Let the Truck do the work for you. Was there away to have used the tow truck which would have avoided being in that position. So many questions which will likely go unanswered and nothing will be learned. So, without that knowledge it could happen to another tow op.

 

RIP Flaco

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