On Jan. 17, one tow truck driver was killed and another was severely hurt when a pickup truck hit them as they were assisting a motorist with a flat tire on a San Marcos highway. The accident occurred around 7 a.m.
The California Highway Patrol said the two men, ages 42 and 48, were helping a driver change the flat tire on his Nissan Frontier on eastbound state Route 78 near Nordahl Road when a 2003 Ford F-250 swerved onto the side of the road. The pickup hit both tow trucks, both drivers and the Nissan.
The 48-year-old tow truck driver died at the scene of the crash. The 42-year-old tow truck driver was taken to an area hospital with severe internal injuries, fractures and a broken leg. The driver of the Nissan, a 43-year-old man, suffered upper torso cuts and abrasions. The Ford driver was not hurt.
Authorities did not state what caused the Ford to veer off the highway. No charges have been announced against the driver.
When a working person loses their life in a car accident, their family could be left without the financial support they need. If the crash was caused due to the negligence of another driver, the victim’s family might wish to speak with a lawyer about filing a wrongful death lawsuit for relief. Even in cases where police choose not to file charges against an at-fault driver, they could still be found liable for a loved one’s death in civil court. If the claim is successful, the family may receive compensation for funeral costs, lost income, lost inheritance and loss of companionship.
Sources: ABC 10 News, “Pickup truck hits, kills tow truck driver; another severely hurt,” Jan. 17, 2015
nbcsandiego.com, “Tow Truck Driver Killed Fixing Flat Tire,” Christina London, Jan. 18, 2015