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Tower "AAA Worker" Down - 07.05.22 (MD) "Updated 07.09.22"


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AAA worker struck, killed on Prince George’s County highway while refueling vehicle

 

 

BOWIE, Md. - Authorities say a AAA worker was struck and killed late Tuesday night in Prince George's County while refueling a vehicle on the side of the highway.

 

The incident happened shortly after 11:15 p.m. along westbound Route 50 in the area of Collington Road in Bowie.

 

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Officers say AAA worker Anthony Okozi, 69, of Upper Marlboro, was providing fuel to a disabled motorist on the shoulder of the highway when he was struck by the driver of a Jeep heading westbound on Route 50.

 

Investigators say Okozi was pronounced dead at the scene. He was using emergency yellow strobe lights and traffic cones and was wearing a reflective vest at the time of the crash.

 

The driver of the Jeep, 21-year-old Joseph Anderson of Rockville, faces charges.

 

"Our hearts go out to Anthony’s loved ones as well as his AAA colleagues during this very difficult time. We will be forever grateful to Anthony and all first responders who have given their lives while helping others," said Kevin Micsko, Vice-President of Fleet Operations at AAA Club Alliance, in a statement released Wednesday.

 

The investigation is continuing at this time.

 

RESOURCE LINK

 

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From AAA:

We are devastated by the loss of Anthony Okozi. He was helping a AAA member when he was struck by another driver. Just like Anthony, other AAA service providers and first responders work along busy roadways so that they can rescue those in need. Remember when you are driving - please pay attention and if you see someone, anyone at the side of the road - always slow down and when possible, move over one lane. We must protect those who risk their lives to help others and prevent another family from losing a loved one.

 

From AAA Alliance:

We are deeply saddened by the death of one of our drivers in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Anthony Okozi, Roadside Assistance Technician, was helping a Member who had run out of fuel when he was struck by a motorist.

“Our hearts go out to Anthony’s loved ones as well as his AAA colleagues during this very difficult time. We will be forever grateful to Anthony and all first responders who have given their lives while helping others,” said Kevin Micsko, Vice-President, Fleet Operations, AAA Club Alliance.

Anthony joined the AAA Upper Marlboro Fleet in June of last year. Supervisors say he had taken the job in transition to retirement, which he was planning for early next year.

Okozi’s death illustrates why Slow Down, Move Over laws are critical to everyone’s safety. The best thing drivers can do is move over and away from vehicles and people on the side of the road.

“Whether someone is fixing a tire or working on a tow, all motorists must slow down and move over a lane, if they can do so safely, to create more space for those working at the roadside. Their lives are on your shoulders,” Micsko added.

The Maryland State Police continue their investigation into the crash.

 

 

 

 

 

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To lose ones life at any age is tragic.

 

Do we know if this is the oldest to lose ones life performing a roadside service?

 

Thoughts & Prayers to the Family, Friends and all that knew Anthony Okozi...

 

Had hopes it would be a very long time before another Tower Down.

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Answering yoBdaBenO's question, florida towman, Gerald Lee Ball, was 84 and had returned from working a call complaining of a headache. He died in May 2005.

 

Dating back to 1928 on my matrix of tow operators who lost their lives in the line-of-duty are as many as 50x towers who were 68-years-old or better at the time of their passing. Of those fifty, 5x were 75-year's old, and 5x towers 80 and above. Note. At least 12x towers died as the result of heart attack, stroke, or other medical issue while on the job driving or during work and recovery activities. However, others were killed in many, many different ways as the result of traffic collisions,  industrial accidents, chasing debris, or workingwhite-line shoulder incidents. 

 

While I consider towing a, "Young Man's Sport", (or woman's), there are plenty of us old duffers still hittin' the bricks on a regular basis ... long may you rave.      R.

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Randall C. Resch

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