Tow Truck Driver Critically Injured 01.27.19 (UT)

[TowNews]

2 critically injured after vehicle slams into tow-truck driver in Spanish Fork Canyon

UTAH COUNTY (KUTV) — 

(UPDATE 1/27/19 9:44 p.m.) -- Utah Highway Patrol says another tow truck arrived on scene at 9:35 p.m. to clear the scene.

 

There is heavy traffic backup in Spanish Fork Canyon.

 

UHP says the road should be clear by 10:30 p.m.

 

(KUTV) -- A tow truck driver is in critical condition after he was hit, while outside of his truck, by a vehicle in Spanish Fork Canyon at approximately 8 p.m. Sunday.

 

A passenger in the at-fault vehicle is also in critical condition, according to Utah Highway Patrol.

 

The crash happened on U.S. 6 at mile marker 193 in Spanish Fork Canyon, approximately 13 to 14 miles before Soldier Summit.

 

A vehicle was pulled over on the side of the road, and the tow truck driver was trying to load that vehicle onto his truck.

 

An older woman was driving on U.S. 6 when she lost control and slammed into the tow truck driver, critically injuring him, UHP troopers say.

 

The critically injured passenger of the at-fault vehicle is being taken to the hospital via ambulance, while UHP has dispatched a helicopter to transport the tow truck driver.

 

No word yet on what led the woman to lose control of her vehicle.

 

RESOURCE LINK

 

Tow-truck driver hit while assisting disabled vehicle

SPANISH FORK, Utah (ABC4 News) – Two people are in critical condition after a tow-truck driver was hit while assisting a disabled car Sunday night.

Sgt. Brady Zagg with the Utah Highway Patrol says a disabled car called for assistance at U.S. 6 and Mile Marker 193 in Spanish Fork Canyon at 7:02 p.m. The tow-truck driver was out of the car when another car coming down the canyon lost control and struck the driver at 8:05 p.m.

The tow-truck driver and driver of the vehicle were both transported by Life Flight to Utah Valley Hospital in critical condition, Sgt. Zaugg says.

 

Another woman on scene was transported to Utah Valley Hospital via ambulance. 

 

RESOURCE LINK

 

Car slams into tow truck driver in Spanish Fork Canyon; 2 injured

UPDATE: U.S. Highway 6 is reopen after officials closed the road in both directions for a short period of time.

The road was reopened by about 9:45 p.m., according to Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Brady Zaugg.

 

---

 

SPANISH FORK — Two people were injured, at least one critically, in a crash in Spanish Fork Canyon Sunday.

A car went off U.S. 6 east of Thistle near Sheep Creek Road just after 7 p.m., according to the Utah Highway Patrol. No serious injuries were reported.

A tow truck responded to that crash. While the tow truck driver was out of his vehicle and assisting the motorist that went off the road, another car lost control and hit the tow truck driver just after 8 p.m., the UHP stated.

The man was in critical condition. A woman was also injured, but troopers were not sure if she was the driver of the first car that went off the road or the second. Names and ages of the victims were not immediately available.

Two medical helicopters were called to the scene.

 

RESOURCE LINK with video

 

UPDATED

 

SPANISH FORK — A tow truck driver assisting a vehicle that slid off the road in Spanish Fork Canyon was hit when another vehicle lost control and smashed into his truck.

Just after 8 p.m. on Sunday, the 27-year-old was pulling a car out of a ditch along U.S. 6 just east of Thistle, Utah County, when another car crossed into oncoming traffic and slid into the front of the tow truck, according to a statement from the Utah Highway Patrol.

The tow truck was pushed into the driver, who was standing near the rear, causing broken bones in both his legs, the UHP stated. A trooper who was already on scene providing traffic control for the tow truck applied a tourniquet to a compound fracture in one of the man's legs to stop the bleeding, the UHP stated. He was flown by medical helicopter to a local hospital.

A 45-year-old woman who crashed into the tow truck was also flown by helicopter to a hospital in critical condition, the UHP stated.

The road was reportedly icy at the time. Troopers kept U.S. 6 closed for a time even after the medical helicopters had left the scene so Utah Department of Transportation crews could put sand on the slick road.

RESOURCE LINK with video

 

[rreschran]

I hope this driver is OK and gets back on his feet real soon.   R.

[GRUMPS The Towman]

Prayers thoughts for a speedy recovery to our brother operator

[Doreen ur Finance Lady]

Sending prayers for him, and praying for a speedy recovery. God Watch over him

[Jeff J]

Our thoughts and prayers are with the driver and his family . For a speedy recovery 

[TTOUT]

Still trying to find out more info on who the operator is, due to knowing many of the operators in the area, but I'm hoping for a speedy recovery.

[TowZone]

I have not been able to find info on the company or driver.

 

The image in the last news report photo appears to show

Stauffer's Towing & Recovery on the door of the Tow Truck.

 

Their Facebook page has no notification and a search has not

resulted in any further findings. I will continue to search and

if anyone has further details or knows this company please post.

 

https://www.ksl.com/article/46478150/car-slams-into-tow-truck-helping-another-driver-2-critically-injured

[mooresbp]

Our thoughts and prayers go out

[5towman]

I sure hope he makes a speedy recovery. I’ll keep him on my prayers. 

[Unit 21]

Just a update yes its a Stauffers tow Truck. My driver is doing well recovering in hospital broken femur had a rod put in on Monday he is in good spirits. Thank you for the well wishes.
 

[rreschran]

That's great news to hear your driver will recover.     R.

[Doreen ur Finance Lady]

Thank God he will be ok. I will continue to pray for a speedy recovery.

[GRUMPS The Towman]

 Excellent  news. That’s a horrible injury to sustain. It’s gonna take some rehab to get as close back to normal as he can. Having a upbeat, positive attitude is a big piece of it and it’s great to hear he is doing well. Get well soon operator. 

[TTOUT]

On 1/30/2019 at 6:10 PM, Unit 21 said:

Just a update yes its a Stauffers tow Truck. My driver is doing well recovering in hospital broken femur had a rod put in on Monday he is in good spirits. Thank you for the well wishes.
 

Good to hear, speedy recovery!