Secure it or Pay the Price

By Randall C. Resch

In July 2024, a large, 30,000-pound tracked bulldozer was being transported atop a steel-deck commercial trailer. As the truck and trailer combination allegedly negotiated a right-hand curve on the highway, the dozer broke free and skipped off the trailer's deck. Tragically, it rolled onto a pickup truck pulling a ski boat, killing the pickup's driver and his teenage daughter while injuring two other passengers.

If you've followed industry news, you're aware of this incident and likely read that overwhelming testimony convicted the truck driver. In all investigations and subsequent lawsuits, determining fault occurs when investigative details prove sufficient wrongdoing.

If you think gambling with improper safety will keep you out of prison, think again. To my point, a recent headline described every tower's nightmare: "Dad and daughter crushed to death by bulldozer that rolled off truck, landing on their vehicle after driver failed to properly secure it."

There's no doubt this tragedy raised serious questions about proper securement and the processes necessary to keep a dozer solidly in place. However, this narrative isn't just about that case.

In March 2026, another fatal towing-related incident occurred in Philadelphia when a vehicle allegedly detached from a light-duty wrecker. The freewheeling, uncontrollable car rolled into the path of an oncoming motorcycle. Its rider was killed instantly, and the tow truck fled the scene. The driver was later identified.

This narrative is directed at towers who shortcut proper securement and initiate towing or loading practices that aren't approved or considered safe by industry standards. If you're that tower sidestepping proper vehicle securement, why are you risking it all?

Just Showing Off?

In less than a week's time, several towers posted photos of themselves loading carriers "two up," showing one vehicle atop the deck and a second vehicle "floating" behind in the carrier's wheel lift. I direct this narrative to towers infected with the wrong mentality: "If it fits, it ships."

I'll never understand why towers post photos or videos of themselves doing something questionable, unacceptable, or illegal. I often blame the industry for not having a universal set of standards that mandates acceptable towing practices. But that's a topic for another time.

The reality is that some towers lack an understanding of the safety practices the industry demands. Sharing social media posts of illegal or unsafe practices can potentially lead to devastating consequences should something go wrong.

Perhaps those posting these images are simply looking for instant gratification and fail to realize that "an accident is the product of the unknown." Unfortunately, when viewing photos and videos of Hollywood moves and illegal practices, another reality becomes obvious: in most cases, accidents are preventable.

Don't Be Invincible

Using the "two-up carrier load" as an example, while it may look kinda' cool, where is it suggested—or instructed—that floating a vehicle behind a carrier in the wheel lift is approved by industry training? Where is it written in any tow equipment manufacturer's operator's manual?

When photos like those posted on industry forums are worth a thousand words, floating vehicles off the pavement goes against the grain of what's safe and proper. These are the same types of photos that often become evidence in fatality investigations and courtroom proceedings. Why would someone purposely post potential future evidence against themselves?

In simple terms, floating vehicles in wheel-lift devices creates dangerous and recognizable risks. Should an unfortunate incident occur, a subsequent investigation will likely consider the following:

-- First and foremost, a dangerous action-reaction condition is created when extended weight far behind the carrier's rear axle reduces braking capability.

-- That same action-reaction effect decreases steering control.

-- The lifted vehicle's rear-end weight is "killing the deck," with the potential to crack the carrier's understructure and deck welds.

-- When wheel lifts are extended beyond the tailboard to accommodate a vehicle's length, they may violate vehicle code laws regarding rear overhang, overall length, and factory lighting requirements.

-- If raised sufficiently above ground level, the suspended vehicle creates an extremely dangerous condition for following traffic because bumper protection is absent in a rear-end collision.

Why Take Chances?

Towers, take heed. The industry's history describes towing, recovery, and repossession as among the most dangerous professions based on documented fatalities. Since Ernest Holmes introduced the first wrecker more than 110 years ago, hundreds of towers have been killed in on-the-job incidents.

To date, I've archived 1,938 operator fatalities in the U.S. and internationally. The numbers prove towers are at risk. But what about the unfortunate incidents where a tower's actions take the lives of innocent people?

It's a fact that when safe practices aren't followed—or are intentionally ignored—innocent people are injured and killed. I'm hoping these words of reality reach towers determined to make their own rules while showing off on industry forums. For towers and industry influencers who think training is a joke and unnecessary, may your continued risk-taking never lead to a preventable tragedy.

For the unfortunate tower involved in the Utah fatality, he reportedly was sentenced to four to 23 years in prison on charges related to the crash. My advice is simple: Get back to following the industry's best practices and leave the idiocy behind.

Hopefully, no other innocent victims will lose their lives because of a tower's wrongful actions. If you support the "If it fits, it ships" mentality, you're putting everyone else at risk.

Operations Editor Randall C. Resch is a retired California police officer, former towing company owner, and longtime industry advocate. As a consultant and trainer, he authored and teaches tow truck operator safety courses approved by the California Highway Patrol. During his 57 years in the towing and recovery industry, he has contributed more than 800 safety-focused articles to American Towman Magazine, TowIndustryWeek.com, and POLICE Magazine. He is a frequent seminar presenter and beauty pageant judge at tow shows. In 2014, he was inducted into the International Towing and Recovery Industry Hall of Fame, became the third recipient of the industry's Dave Jones Leadership Award, and serves as a member of American Towman's Safety Committee.

Email Randy at rreschran@gmail.com.