Tower Down - 12.02.22 (GA) "Updated 12.22.22"

[TowNews]

Tow truck driver killed on JR Allen Pkwy in Columbus

 

 

 

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — A tow truck driver tragically died after being struck by a vehicle on an entrance ramp to JR Allen Parkway from Moon Road Friday night.

 

The deceased was hit while he was in the process of loading up a State Trooper’s vehicle that had broke down.

 

The tow truck driver was pronounced dead at 10:49 p.m. Friday night.

 

Stick with News 3 for additional updates.

 

 

[Griffin & Griffin Towing]

It is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of our dear family member and team member Mr. Jonathan Begley in the line of duty.

 

Please keep his family in your prayers. Mr. Jon RIH sir, we will drag the chains from here.

[yoBdaBenO]

Sending our Thoughts & Prayers to this Tow Ops Family, Friends and Co-workers. The industry loses so many each and every year. These Slow Down Move Over messages could save lives and should have been enough to save this young mans life. He was out there picking up a troopers vehicle. I am going to assume at least one trooper was on scene at the time of the incident which ended a Tow Ops Life. It could have been a Troopers Life just as easily, when is Law Enforcement going to say Enough is Enough.

 

Our Voices Can Be Loud... They can be heard, at what point are WE as an Industry going to Make our Voices Heard. What is the proper method to gain the most exposure, what will it take. If we do nothing or just hold rallies, is it going to change. NO

 

Rest in Peace Driver, though we did not know you sadness and pain goes within us.

[Old Tow]

We here at Rick's Towing send our condolences to his family. We will be praying for them all both at home and work.

[hvyhauler5969]

Thoughts & Prayers to this Tow Ops Family, Friends and Co-workers sorry for your loss he was a great person 

[5towman]

Thoughts and prayers. 

[mooresbp]

Thoughts and prayers

[Mamas Towing]

Godspeed 

 

it is with a heavy heart and such sadness that I have to read this. I have been towing for over 23 years and this just breaks my heart we are losing so many tow operators! So many close calls these families without husbands kids without dads it saddens me so so much. God bless the family the friends the children the business family. Please be safe 

[TowNews]

Funeral service held for Columbus tow truck driver killed on the job

 

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - A local truck driver killed on the job is finally laid to rest. But, tonight, his loved ones are encouraging those driving this holiday season to be mindful of Move Over laws.

 

It was a room full of Jonathan Begley’s loved ones gathered this evening at the Double Tree by Hilton hotel. Though he had not worked as a trucker for long, several other truckers and first responders still showed up to support their fellow first responders.

 

“Move over. Slow down. You don’t know whose life you’re going to take,” said Ruthie Begley, pleading with Georgians to be cautious while driving during Christmas and New Year’s.

 

Her son, Jonathan, was killed right before the holidays.

 

“His brother and sister, they’re really taking it hard. They just don’t know what to do anymore because that was their baby brother,” said Ruthie.

The 41-year-old Columbus truck driver was killed on the job nearly three weeks ago.

 

Authorities say the deadly accident happened near the Veterans Parkway exit on J.R. Allen Parkway. At the time, Begley was loading a Georgia State Patrol car when another driver hit and killed him.

 

Before his funeral Wednesday, the procession was led by deputies from the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Patrol, and Columbus police. It included several truck drivers from various local companies as they left the Columbus Civic Center.

 

His memorial was held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel.

 

“We’re out here to really support the one last ride and lay our brother to rest, Jonathan Begley and really show our support to the family and really show what he meant to us,” said Chuck Griffin, who hired Jonathan at Griffin and Griffin Towing.

 

“He was an outspoken person. He was loving. He was caring. And anything we would ask him to help us do, he did it,” said his co-worker, Danny Williams.

 

During the service, State Representative Elect Teddy Reese presented Jonathan’s family with a proclamation on behalf of Mayor Skip Henderson.

 

His employer, Griffin and Griffin Towing Company gave them a plaque and bought Christmas gifts for his children.

 

One of his co-workers fought tears while remembering their final moments.

 

“If you have someone that you love that you have not told that you love them, please reach out and do it ‘cus I lost a best friend,” said another co-worker, Chester Grantham.

 

According to AAA, Jonathan’s former boss encourages drivers to slow down, with one tow truck driver killed every other week.

 

“While we’re out here celebrating Christmas with our loved ones, just remember us. We’re out here to help, but we want to get home just like the next people,” Griffin adds.

 

Authorities say the driver of the vehicle that hit Begley did stay at the scene. That individual’s identity and whether or not they’ll face any charges has not been released. But, Georgia State Patrol is continuing to investigate.

 

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