Tower Down: 11.06.19 (MD)

[TowNews]

 

 

63-year-old man dead in Temple Hills hit-and-run

Maryland State Police are investigating a hit-and-run crash in Prince George’s County that killed a 63-year-old tow truck driver Wednesday evening.

 

It happened in the area of southbound Branch Avenue and Coventry Way in Temple Hills shortly after 10:30 p.m.

The tow truck operator had arrived on the scene to help with a disabled vehicle in the shoulder of the road, according to a preliminary investigation. The truck and the disabled vehicle were both in the shoulder at the time of the crash.

 

Investigators believe the man was struck as he walked back toward his truck while in the process of loading the disabled vehicle.

 

The man, whose identity is withheld until family can be notified, was declared dead on the scene by Prince George’s County Fire/EMS.

 

The Maryland State Police crash team continues to investigate the incident.

 

Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact the Forestville Barrack at 301-568-8101.

 

RESOURCE LINK

 

RELATED NEWS LINK with video

 

POLICE ID TOW TRUCK DRIVER:

 

Maryland State Police are still investigating a deadly hit-and-run that killed a tow truck operator while on the job Wednesday night in Temple Hills.

 

David Reinerio Pineda Alvarez, 63, of D.C., was in the area of Branch Avenue and Coventry Way around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, assisting with a vehicle that had a flat tire that was on the shoulder of the road, state police said.

 

Alvarez was out of his tow truck when another driver struck the disabled vehicle on the driver-side mirror before hitting Alvarez and possibly the tow truck, state police said. He died at the scene.

 

Investigators said the tow truck had its flashing yellow lights on, and both the truck and the disabled vehicle were on the shoulder of the road.

 

State police described the suspect vehicle as a 1999-2007 white or beige Cadillac Escalade with possible passenger-side damage. Below is a picture of a similar vehicle.

 

AAA Mid-Atlantic said in a statement Thursday that the tow truck operator was contracted by AAA and that he was helping out a member that night.

 

“This tragic death highlights the dangers roadside workers face on the job daily and distinctly illustrates why ‘Slow Down, Move Over’ laws are critical to safety,” said AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesperson Ragina Cooper Ali in the statement. “To ensure safety, the best thing drivers can do is move over and away from vehicles and people on the side of the road.”

 

State police also are reminding drivers of Maryland’s “Move Over” laws, which are meant to ensure an extra barrier of safety for service crews and first responders on roads. A violation of the law is a misdemeanor that includes increasing fines depending on the seriousness of the violation.

 

Anyone with information about this deadly crash can call state police’s Forestville Barrack at (301) 568-8101.

 

RESOURCE LINK

[Doreen ur Finance Lady]

OMG this is so sad. I pray they find the person that hit and killed him. He or she needs to pay for what they have done.

[mooresbp]

Our thoughts and prayers

[rreschran]

Christine and I send our prayers to the tower's family and the company he worked for.    R.

[5towman]

Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends. 

[mushspeed]

Thoughts and Prayers go out to the Towtruck drivers Family , Friends and Co workers...

 

From your fellow towers in the UK. 

 

John.

[Moose]

Once the count hits 10 days and you just know the risk is high.

 

Two down in less than 24 hours, we can't escape that one every 6 days...

[rreschran]

That in itself is mind-boggling if you were to try and mathematically calculate how many towers on average would be killed. I don't even want to go there.     R.

[yoBdaBenO]

SAD.... No Words at this time, does anyone know if they caught the Hit & Run Driver Yet?

[TowNews]

Police have found the SUV that Struck and Killed David Alvarez then left the scene.