Tower Down 04.22.20 (CT)

[TowNews]

Corey Iodice, a well known Tow Operator lost his life Wednesday night. The tragic incident happened on the Merritt Parkway in Trumbull. Reports coming in that he was loading a vehicle onto a rollback when an accident occurred.

 

Tow truck driver hit, killed in major Merritt Parkway crash in Trumbull

 

TRUMBULL — The driver of a local tow truck was hit and killed in a major crash Wednesday afternoon that shut down a stretch of the Merritt Parkway for hours.

 

Troopers from the Connecticut State Police Troop G barrack in Bridgeport responded to Route 15 south in the area of Exit 47 for a reported crash around 4:45 p.m., according to Trooper First Class Christine Jeltema.

First responders on scene indicated over dispatch broadcasts that there were three “walking wounded” and one “DOA.”

 

Corey John Iodice, 58, of Magnolia Avenue in Seffner, Fla., was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a state police accident report.

 

Iodice was driving an Iodice Family Transport tow truck, which operates out of Fairfield.

 

The website for IFT said Iodice had more than 30 years of “towing and heavy recovery expertise.”

 

He was there to tow the disabled vehicle of a 25-year-old Bridgeport man.

 

A third vehicle on scene was driven by a friend of the Bridgeport man, who he called for a ride.

 

While Iodice was loading the disabled vehicle onto the tow truck, the report said, a 46-year-old Weston man driving in the right lane, “lost control for unknown reasons,” and hit the vehicles of the two Bridgeport men.

 

The Weston man’s vehicle then continued “up the bed” of the tow truck and hit Iodice, “who was standing adjacent to the flat bed portion of the tow truck,” the state police report said.

 

The report said the Weston man’s vehicle then rolled on its roof and came to a rest on the right shoulder of the highway.

 

Medics pronounced Iodice dead at the crash site, state police said.

 

The drivers of the other three vehicles were evaluated by medical personnel on scene and declined to be transported to the hospital.

 

The highway reopened to traffic by 9:15 p.m.

 

The crash remains under investigation by state police.

 

Please keep the Iodice Family in your Thoughts & Prayers.

 

NEW LINK ADDED https://www.ctpost.com/policereports/article/Major-rollover-crash-on-Merritt-Parkway-in-15219281.php

 

 

Found on the Fairfield Police Department FB Page:

The men and women of the Fairfield Police Department have heavy hearts today as we mourn the loss of a friend. Corey Iodice of Iodice Family Transport tragically lost his life yesterday while tending to a disabled vehicle on the Merrit Parkway. Corey, his brother Chris and the entire Iodice family, are in our thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.

 

Corey was always a pleasure to be around and had a true passion for his work, always going above and beyond what was asked of him. He showed true compassion toward others in stressful times and always accomplished the task at hand in the most expert way possible.

 

The Fairfield Police Department has grown to rely on the Iodice family for the towing of vehicles, particularly in the most difficult situations. It is well known that when an Iodice brother shows up to the scene, the job is going to get done. Corey Iodice was a great man who had a quiet confidence about him. When he showed up on the scene we all knew he would “just handle it.” In addition, Corey was one of the most safety conscious people we knew. Extremely knowledgeable and humble.

 

It should never take a tragic event like this to remind the public to slow down and move over!

 

Corey, Chris and his family are well known and respected in their industry. They are dedicated, compassionate, professional and always prepared. The loss of Corey will be felt by many. He will truly be missed by all.

 

To the Iodice Family...may the peace that comes from your memories comfort you now and in the days ahead. Hold tight to those memories for comfort. Lean on your friends for strength. And always remember how much you're loved.

Rest easy Corey...until we meet again.

 

 

A News Story with Video can be found HERE

[auto rescue]

Regardless of how it happened he can not be replaced, my Condolences to his family.

[Kanuit]

Our prayers and condolences RIP

[GRUMPS The Towman]

Rest easy Operator, your shift is over.

[SammyWebber]

So Sorry for the family, it been  awhile since you had to post something like this, retired from this but still like your site to kept up with the world. 

[5towman]

Very sad. I feel bad and just don’t know what to say. Thoughts and prayers got out to his family and friends. 

[mooresbp]

Our thoughts and prayers

[Mike swanson]

Corey was top notch,were gonna miss you buddy, ill see you in the bar.

[jimnichols6359]

I just do not have the words to express how i feel, we have lost a family member, that is what Corey was to all of us, he is family.

[Old Tow]

Our heartfelt prayers for the family and his co- workers... RIP Driver, your shift is over !

 

[mushspeed]

Please convey our sincere condolences to  Corey's  family, co workers and friends . 

From John and Aileen Coupland on behalf of all the towers and the Slowdown  Move Over campaign in the UK..

We feel your pain !!!

Our thoughts and prayers go out for Corey and the whole Iodice  family ...

Rest in peace dude ...

 

 

[Moose]

How much more the industry can take of these Tower Downs...

 

RIP Corey,,, we'll meet on the other side of the ditch one day.

[Star Towing Fairfield]

Being in this industry for over 50 years, and seeing many Tow Operators, Corey was the most safety minded, conscience, and professional operator I had the privilege to work with on many accident scenes.

To Russ, Chris and family my deepest sympathy to all. Corey will be deeply missed.

Gary -Star Towing 

[hookrite]

R.I.P.

[TowForce]

Corey John Iodice

August 31, 1961 - April 22, 2020

Obituary

Corey John Iodice, 58 of Seffner, Florida (formerly of Fairfield), died tragically, in the line of duty, on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. He was born in Bridgeport on August 31, 1961 to Russell and the late Patricia (Tupy) Iodice. Corey was a lifelong towing and recovery specialist who was well respected for his abilities to execute any recovery regardless of the circumstances. He was an anomaly in the towing industry and a consummate professional who was widely known as the guy who made safety his top priority. Corey took pride in working side by side with his brother Chris and their father Russ, during countless emergency situations for the Fairfield Police and Fire Services.
In 1991, they were each awarded a Civilian Service Medal from the town of Fairfield for saving the life of a victim involved in a horrific crash on Interstate 95. In his free time, Corey loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping, hiking and biking.

He is survived by his father, Russell, his siblings Robin, Cynthia (Connie), Keith, Christopher (Kristin) and Patricia. He will also be missed by his nieces, Kathryn, Jayme and Maddy, his nephew Roger and great-niece Elizabeth. He was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Michael (Mickey) and Julia Iodice, maternal grandparents, Steven and Elizabeth Tupy, step-grandfather Adam Komosinski, mother Patricia, brother Brian and his dog Dude, his loyal companion.

A memorial tow truck parade will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations in Corey’s name can be made to: the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum at: 3315 Broad St., Chattanooga, TN 37408 or https://internationaltowingmuseum.org/donate/

 

[TowNews]

Memorials to honor tow truck driver killed on Merritt Parkway

https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Memorials-to-honor-tow-truck-driver-killed-on-15233537.php

[Moose]

I read where they laid Corey to Rest Today.

 

Rest Easy Tow Operator it's been a long road home, watch over those of us that enter that danger zone on a regular basis. Often there is simply no alternative!

[TowForce]

CALL TO ACTION

The defendant, Dean Robert, submitted dozens of letters of support begging the judge for leniency June 2 sentencing hearing for the death of tow operator Corey Iodice.

NOT ON OUR WATCH!

Corey Iodice suffered a violent death because Dean Robert (Goldstein) was legally drunk, driving 90mph, weaving in and out of traffic and ultimately failed to slow down or move over for Corey.

We are seeking hundreds of letters in support of Corey Iodice and the need for the driving public to slow down and (if it is safe to do) move over anytime there is anything happening on the side of the road.

Email letters to FlagmanSafety@gmail.com

by Wednesday June 1 6pm EST.

We are outraged that CT tow op Chris Russell also lost his life while assisting a disabled motorist last week.