Wrecker driver killed in multi-vehicle crash on I-85 in Coweta County
Suspected DUI driver charged with tow truck driver's death
Georgia State Troopers said 31-year-old Christopher Thornton was driving too fast in for conditions in Newnan County when he swerved to avoid hitting firetrucks and plowed right into 49-year-old Toby Bowden. The victim was trying to tow a car after a wreck Wednesday morning.
COWETA COUNTY, Ga. - Authorities say a tow truck driver lost his life on the job on the northbound side of Interstate 85 at mile marker 40. in Coweta County Wednesday morning.
"It hits us all very hard in this industry because we face it so much," said Angela Roper, Executive Vice President of the Towing and Recovery Association of Georgia.
Georgia State Troopers say 49-year-old Toby Bowden was cleaning up a crash with emergency crews around 7 a.m. Wednesday. That is when investigators say a driver going too fast for conditions swerved to avoid fire trucks and rolled over hitting Bowden.
A deputy was also injured, but is expected to survive.
Authorities arrested that driver, 31-year-old Christopher Thornton.
"It's not just that they have to worry about doing their job and doing it correctly, but they have to now worry about is the car coming down the roadway going to move over for me while I do my job," Roper said.
The deadly crash happened just feet from an overhead sign that reads ‘State Law: Move over or slow down for stopped emergency vehicles.’
Those in the wrecker business say the law is there to prevent crashes like this.
Christopher Thornton
"We need to need more awareness," Roper said. "We need people to know that these laws do exist."
Thornton faces multiple charges including vehicular homicide, driving under the influence and a move-over law violation.
Every state has "Move-Over" laws, but AAA says roughly 24 emergency responders, including tow truck drivers are struck and killed across the nation each year.
"We've actually had operators quit because their family were worried about them having to work on the side of the road, as so many people are getting killed," Roper said.