February 1, 2019 Police searching for driver after Peabody hit-and-run involving tow-truck operator (MA)

[TowNews]

 

 

PEABODY, Mass. —

A tow truck operator fixing a flat tire on a vehicle that broke down on Route 128 was clipped by a vehicle passing by Friday night.

The incident happened around 9 p.m. on the eastbound side of the highway, near Exit 25B for Route 114/Andover Street near the North Shore Mall.

Both the tow operator from Gaeta's Towing/AAA and the driver of the broken down vehicle were outside the car on the dark, narrow stretch of the highway, when another vehicle driving down the highway clipped the tow truck operator, pushing him into the driver of the car.

The tow truck operator was taken to the hospital to be checked out, but was expected to be OK.

"Whenever you see us on the highway, move over," the tow truck operator said.

The driver of the broken down car reportedly was not injured.

Police said they were searching for a white, 2016 Nissan Altima with license plates from Maine.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Massachusetts State Police in Danvers at 978-538-6060.

 

RESOURCE LINK with video

 

 

PEABODY, MASS. (WHDH) - Police are searching for the driver who struck a tow-truck operator in Peabody and left the scene Friday night.

While changing a flat tire in the breakdown lane in the area of Route 128 North and Route 114, the 21-year-old tow-truck operator was struck by a 2016 white Nissan Altima, state police say.

The vehicle, with Maine plates (registration number: 7436WM) fled the scene, according to police.

The tow-truck driver was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police say.

 

RESOURCE LINK with video

 

UPDATED: Hit & Run Driver turns himself in

Authorities say a 21-year-old tow truck operator from Gaeta’s Tow is recovering after he was struck by another car while changing a flat tire on Route 128 Friday night.

Massachusetts State Police say the tow operator was changing a tire on the passenger side of a vehicle in the breakdown lane on Route 128 northbound, at Route 114 in Peabody, when a 2016 Nissan Altima with a Maine license plate struck him and fled the scene.

The 21-year-old tow operator, who state police say they will not identify, was brought to Lahey Clinic for injuries that did not appear to life-threatening.

State and local police were notified of the hit-and-run crash, and at around 10:40 p.m. on Friday, the driver of the Nissan turned himself in to Mass. State Police at the Danvers Barracks.

He was interviewed and was charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury crash, marked lanes violations and possibly other charges as the investigation continues. Mass. State Police did not identify the hit-and-run suspect.

RESOURCE LINK

[mooresbp]

Glad they will be ok

[Doreen ur Finance Lady]

Thank God he will recovery. This is so sad that people can't move over and respect towers. They are helping people so move over and save a life!

[rreschran]

I'm sorry, not to Monday Morning Quarterback, but, changing a tire on the passenger-side at 9 pm? Really? What's so wrong with that picture and and a topic that's been discussed many times over on this website as well as industry wide.  At the very least, I'm thankful the tower will survive his injuries, but there's a definite lesson to be learned here. Tow first.       R.