Tow Truck Driver Struck - 05.25.23 (OK)

TowNews · June 1, 2023

Tow Truck Driver Working On Turner Turnpike Hit By OSBI Employee; OHP Investigates

KELLYVILLE, Okla. — On Thursday, a wrecker driver was hit by a car on Turner Turnpike while changing a tire on the side of the road.

A 64-year-old wrecker driver is in the ICU after state troopers said an OSBI employee driving a marked work vehicle hit him on the side of the Turner Turnpike.

The OHP is investigating and has not released the cause of the accident.

The OSBI said it's cooperating fully with the OHP investigation, and the employee involved in the crash is on administrative leave.

Doug Edinger works for Calvin's Wrecker Service and was changing a tire on the side of the road and now has several broken bones. been hit by a vehicle like this, but he said all Douglas Edinger is breathing on his own for the first time in days

Calvin Halford said he's been in the business for 17 years and this is the first time one of his employees has actually been hit by a vehicle like this, but he said all of his drivers have had close calls.

For the first time in days. Douglas Edinger is breathing on his own.

"They said there's three things that you've got to pass to get off the ventilator," said Calvin Halford, Calvin's Wrecker Service.

Calvin owns the Wrecker Service where Doug works. He's visited Doug in the hospital every day since the accident.

"He's worked for me for seven years. Doug, Doug is just good people. He cares about people," said Calvin. "He's a tough guy. He's lucky to be alive."

Doctors told Calvin that Doug needed to follow commands before he could be taken off the ventilator.

"Before I left, I looked at Doug and I told him, I said 'Doug, open your eyes for me,' and he opened his eyes," said Calvin. "[...] I'll make sure he's taken care of on my end."

Doug was helping a AAA customer with a flat tire on Thursday, along the Turner Turnpike about a mile north of Kellyville.

That's when the customer told Calvin an OSBI truck swerved into Doug standing on the side of the road.

"[H]e said the next thing I know he ran over Doug," said Calvin.

Doug has a cracked skull and several broken bones.

"I beat myself up trying to think about how I could keep this from happening again, but I honestly don't know other than not do the call," said Calvin.

Calvin said Doug did everything by the book. He wore his safety vest, put his hazards on, and parked the service vehicle at least five feet from the white line.

"All I know is they need to slow down. And pay attention. That's all we do is go out and try to help people," said Calvin.

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OSBI confirmed that the driver of the car is one of their agents and is on administrative leave.