On Thursday night, July 3, 2014, a 35-year-old tow truck driver and his 31-year-old male driver trainee arrived on the scene to assist a 1998 Volkswagen Beetle driver who needed his vehicle to be towed. The tow truck driver parked his towing unit in front of the Volkswagen Beetle on the eastbound shoulder of the roadway. The victim was operating the lift controls on the traffic facing side of the tow truck, when a 2002 Toyota Corolla struck the open driver’s side door of the Volkswagen, then struck the tow truck driver and the side mirror on the tow truck. The Toyota Corolla driver continued driving, while the Volkswagen driver called Emergency Medical Services. EMS arrived within four minutes and attempted to resuscitate the victim. The time of death was called at 11:54 pm at the scene. Recommendations for prevention: (1) When tow vehicles are equipped with dual winch controls, drivers should operate controls from the non-traffic facing side of the truck. (2) Towing companies should consider utilizing portable emergency warning devices. (3) Highway incident managers should always wear ANSI compliant high visibility work apparel appropriate for the time of day or night while responding to roadside assistance calls. (4) Tow truck operators should consider National Traffic Incident Management Responder Training, regardless of company size. (5) There should be increased public awareness of the 'Move Over Law' in Kentucky.


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    Title :

    Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report for Kentucky: Pedestrian Tow Truck Operator Struck and Killed by Drunk Driver While Rendering Assistance on Highway Roadside, FACE-14-KY-033


    Publication date :

    2016


    Size :

    9 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English