Broken down and waiting for help on a feeder road to the Sam Houston Parkway, a man sitting in his disabled Jeep was fatally injured when a tow truck rear-ended his vehicle. Initial reports say the man was to the far right of the road, but do not indicate if he was stalled in a traffic lane or on the road’s shoulder.
The driver of the tow truck stopped to render aid but could not help the man who suffered fatal injuries in the truck accident. Early analysis indicates that the tow truck driver didn’t realize that the Jeep was not moving; there was no evidence that the tow truck driver attempted to slow down or stop before crashing into the disabled vehicle.
The driver of the tow truck did not appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash.
The man in the Jeep had called his son for assistance, but unfortunately his son arrived just after the fatal crash.
The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains a hotline for stranded motorists: 1-800-525-5555. This is also the number to call to report a suspected drunk driver. If your car breaks down, TxDPS suggests that:
- You move your car as far off the roadway as possible
- Make your car visible to other drivers through use of your hazard lights
- Open the hood of your car to indicate to other drivers that you are a disabled vehicle
DPS suggests that you stay with your car, especially if you are broken down at night or during bad weather. If you leave your vehicle, they suggest that you leave your contact information on the dash or in another location that can be easily found and report the location of your car as soon as possible.
Source: The Houston Chronicle, “Driver of disabled car killed after crash with tow truck,” June 4, 2013