Tower Down - 02.13.24 (TX) "Updated 02.15.24"

[TowForce]

Tow truck driver killed after being hit by vehicle on Northwest Freeway, sheriff says

 

A tow truck driver was struck and killed by a vehicle along the Northwest Freeway on Tuesday, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.

 

According to Houston TranStar, it happened in the eastbound (inbound) lanes just inside Beltway 8. It was verified around 5:15 p.m.

 

Gonzalez said the Harris County Sheriff's Office Vehicular Crimes Division responded to the scene.

 

According to Gonzalez, the tow truck driver was out of his truck loading up another vehicle when he was hit. Initially, Gonzalez said, the tow truck driver was in fair condition, but while he was being taken to an area hospital for treatment, his condition quickly deteriorated. He said he was in critical condition.

 

He was later pronounced dead, Gonzalez said.

 

The sheriff said the other drivers involved in the incident remained at the scene and didn't show any signs of impairment.

 

----------------- UPDATED 02.15.24 ---------------------

 

Authorities said the victim, identified as Simon Garcia, was loading a disabled vehicle onto his white 2013 Isuzu NRR flatbed wreck. Garcia's wrecker was said to be stopped on the highway's right lane, with Garcia standing outside the vehicle near the driver's door.

 

During that time, Elieser Alonso was driving a white 2019 Dodge Promaster along the eastbound right lane.

 

He also reportedly had a passenger, identified as Darian Leiva. According to the sheriff's office, Alonso made a faulty eviction when he steered into the left lane to avoid hitting Garcia's tow truck.

 

As Alonso went onto the left lane, the left front quarter of the Promaster hit the right back quarter of a 2015 Odom Utility Trailer, which Joseph Ramirez was towing. The impact caused Alonso to fail to pass to the left lane safely and hit the back of Garcia's tow truck. At that, Alonso continued and hit Garcia.

 

Garcia was taken to Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital, where authorities said he succumbed to his injuries.

 

Authorities said Ramirez and Alonso did not show signs of impairment and remained on scene.

 

------------------- Obituary Added ---------------------

 

Simon Michael Garcia Sr. Obituary:

April 25, 1967 - February 13, 2024 (56 years old)

 

We are sad to announce that on February 13, 2024, at the age of 56, Simon Michael Garcia Sr. of Houston, Texas passed away. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family.

https://www.echovita.com/us/obituaries/tx/houston/simon-michael-garcia-sr-17648018

[mooresbp]

Our thoughts and prayers

[5towman]

Thoughts and prayers

[yoBdaBenO]

Thoughts and Prayers does anyone know which company this man was with?

[EAGLE1]

Thoughts and Prayers! this seems to be happening even more than I can recall at the start of any year.