Tow truck driver struck, injured by motorist
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/12/2016 (3423 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
A Brandon tow truck driver suffered a broken nose and concussion while responding to a rollover, after his vehicle was hit by a passing car.
“It could have been a lot worse,” said Ryland Jefferies, a driver with Full Tilt Towing & Transport.
The incident happened Monday around 6 p.m. on Highway 2 near Nesbitt. Jefferies said he followed safety protocols, which include placing pylons at the scene and flashing safety beacons.
While he was retrieving his toolbox on the passenger side of the tow truck, a vehicle slammed into the driver’s side.
“I was off the highway … and a different tow truck company was coming down the road with their beacons on because they had seen me working,” Jefferies said. “This vehicle went around (the tow truck) when he was trying to slow down traffic and hit me right after … It was more or less a T-bone.”
RCMP Cpl. Mike Boychuk confirmed a Ford Taurus hit the tow truck while driving westbound. Minor injuries were reported, but the car was totalled.
A 25-year-old woman from Winkler was charged with driving imprudent, a fine of $203 under the Highway Traffic Act, as well as failing to move over while passing a vehicle with emergency lights on — a fine of $299.
“Everyone needs to realize that we work on the side of the highway,” Jefferies said. “They need to slow down and move over, and if you think you should stop, stop. You should never be going more than 50 (km/h).”
RCMP responded to a string of collisions on Monday and Tuesday, due to the icy highway conditions. Boychuk said there were at least 10 they responded to in the area.
One of the more serious incidents occurred at the junction of Highway 468 and the Trans-Canada Highway — a semi versus a small car.
“We went and investigated. The roads were absolutely terrible — very slippery conditions, it was actually difficult to even walk on,” Boychuk said.
The occupants were shook up, but looked over and released at the scene.
A majority of the calls were single vehicles hitting the ditch, many on the Trans-Canada. Calls stretched from Sidney to Highway 21, with the worst portion around Camp Hughes.
“That’s what happens when conditions are poor and you have lots of traffic,” Boychuk said. “If people aren’t paying attention, your risk is great that you end up in the ditch. A lot of people were quite happy that they didn’t actually hit someone else.”
Boychuk urged motorists to use common sense and caution while driving — especially if they see flashing lights.
“Slow down … and start paying attention to what the flashing lights are, either a tow truck or emergency vehicle,” he said. “Be careful because you also have to deal with the road conditions and the weather.”
» jaustin@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @jillianaustin