Tow Truck Driver Critically Injured - 04.20.23 (UT) "Updated 04.25.23"

[TowForce]

Tow truck driver critically injured after metal object smashes through windshield in Utah

 

FARMINGTON, Utah (KUTV) — A tow truck driver is in the ICU after a metal object smashed through his windshield and into his face.

 

The incident happened on northbound Legacy Parkway, just after the I-15 and U.S. 89 intersection. It was sometime between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. on Thursday.

 

UHP asked for help in a post on Instagram to those driving near Parrish Lane to the Farmington interchange. They're asking anyone with any information about where this metal object might have come from, to please reach out to Utah Highway Patrol.

 

Tyler Schofield's boss said out of nowhere, "a large piece of metal flew up off the freeway."

 

Kody Kirkham, the owner of Dewaal & Sons Towing, said that Tyler lost an eye and that his mouth was wired shut. Scans showed the extent of the damage. He will need to have facial reconstruction, eye surgery, eyelid repair, tear duct repair, etc.

 

Tyler's brother, Tristen Schofield, told 2News he was on a Bluetooth call with his good friend, when the incident happened.

 

"It went silent for a minute. He was asking 'help me, help me.' Then the phone disconnected. Luckily the company was able to track it and send over an ambulance," Tristen said.

 

 

Tristen said they have high hopes for Tyler's left eye. They're thankful there's no brain or spinal damage, so he will make a full recovery.

 

"His nose and everything in that area were kind of smashed up," Tristen said.

 

RESOURCE LINK

 

 

[TowForce]

‘Help me.’ Tow truck driver loses eye when he’s hit by flying metal, Utah family says

 

A 29-year-old tow truck driver has lost his right eye after being hit in the face by flying metal while driving home, his Utah family says.

 

The chunk of sheet metal crashed through his windshield in Layton at about 1 p.m. Thursday, April 20, the Utah Highway Patrol reported.

 

“One second, it’ll change your life, you know?” Tristen Schofield told KSTU about the accident involving his brother, Tyler Schofield. Tyler lost his right eye and has other serious injuries, but doctors are hopeful they can save his left eye.

 

Tristen told KUTV he was on the phone with his brother when the accident happened.

 

“It went silent for a minute. He was asking ‘help me, help me,’” Tristen told the station. “Then the phone disconnected.”

 

Tyler was able to steer the tow truck to the side of the road and stop without injuring anyone else, his brother told KSTU.

 

A cousin and Tyler’s employer, Dewaal & Sons, have posted GoFundMe accounts to raise money for his medical care and recovery.

 

Utah Highway Patrol investigators are trying to determine where the sheet metal came from, officers wrote. They ask anyone with information to call 801-451-4150.

 

RESOURCE LINK

[EdsTowing]

Dam...thank God he's alive.

[mooresbp]

wow that is nasty!

[TowForce]

Towing company rallies around driver hit by metal sheet on Utah highway

 

FARMINGTON — A tow truck company is rallying around one of its drivers, Tyler Schofield, and his family after a sheet of metal flew through his windshield and left him in the ICU with life-changing injuries.

 

The Utah Highway Patrol is investigating where that piece of metal came from and hoping the public can help shed light on what happened.

 

It doesn't matter if he's towing something or not. Kody Kirkham, owner of DeWaal and Sons Towing, always spends five to 10 minutes walking a lap around his tow truck before driving away, to make sure everything looks good.

 

On Monday, he pointed out what he checks — from tire lug nuts and bolts, to securing chains.

 

"You're looking for things that are loose on your vehicle," Kirkham explained.

 

He wants to make sure nothing flies off, especially when Kirkham is driving highway speeds.

 

"It could save a life and help prevent injuries, damages," he said.

 

For someone who knows the importance of securing a load, now, Kirkham can feel it.

 

He and his crew can't help but think about what happened to his employee, Tyler Schofield, on April 20. Kirkham said Schofield was leaving work and heading north on Legacy Parkway, approaching Farmington, and the onramp to I-15 north in the middle of the day. Suddenly, a piece of metal sliced through the windshield in front of Schofield's face.

 

"It had to be moving really fast," Kirkham said. "It's really dangerous and that was really scary."

 

The Utah Highway Patrol believes the large sheet of orange-colored metal may have gotten kicked up from the roadway by another vehicle, but investigators aren't sure if it fell directly off of another vehicle or where it came from.

 

Schofield managed to pull over to safety, even with the piece of metal in his face.

 

"It was surprising he was able to stop the truck and not hurt anybody," Kirkham said.

 

Schofield's brother, Tristen Schofield, said Tyler Schofield lost his right eye and may lose his left.

"It was devastating," he said.

 

He has been by his brother's side in the ICU.

 

"They have his mouth wired shut. He had to have full facial reconstruction and everything," Tristen Schofield explained.

 

Tyler Schofield can't speak, but he can write on a notepad, and Tristen Schofield said Tyler Schofield didn't suffer any brain damage.

 

They're just glad he survived and he's making progress. On Sunday, Tyler Schofield was able to take a few steps in his hospital room.

 

"The doctors are all amazed, and he's actually a warrior, you know, he's been sitting there going like this ever since," Tristen Schofield explained, putting his arms in a double biceps body builder pose to demonstrate. "Just trying to show everybody that he's going to be all right."

 

DeWaal and Sons Towing is supporting Tyler Schofield and his family the best they can, fundraising and checking in daily.

 

The family also has a GoFundMe* account set up to help Tyler Schofield with medical expenses.

 

"He's part of our family and it's got us all shook up," Kirkham said.

 

They're hoping someone can help Utah Highway Patrol figure out where the piece of metal came from, or who may have seen what happened on Legacy Parkway between 12:30 to 1:30 pm on Thursday, April 20, at the I-15/U.S. 89 interchange.

 

Kirkham and Tristen are also urging others to make sure they check their vehicles if towing or hauling anything in the back. Or, if someone sees debris on the road, they are urging people to call dispatch right away to report it.

 

"You're responsible for that as a driver, to make sure that your load is secure," Kirkham said.

 

RESOURCE LINK

[Doreen ur Finance Lady]

Thank God hes OK praying for him for full recovery.