California Tow Operator, Motorist Killed After Being Struck on the Shoulder of I-15

A tow operator and the driver of a vehicle the operator was assisting died July 30 at approximately 5:17 a.m., when they were struck on the shoulder of Interstate 15 near Baker, Calif.

The California Highway Patrol stated that the operator, a  43-year-old male from Barstow, Calif., was assisting the driver of a 2002 Chevrolet with a flat tire when a 2013 Freightliner hauling two bottom-dump trailers drifted off the roadway and crashed into the 2004 GMC tow truck, the operator and the Chevrolet driver, a 39-year-old male from Cleveland, Ohio.

A woman, 41, and two minors from Granada Hills were inside the Chevrolet during the crash and were taken to a hospital as a precaution.

The driver of the Freightliner combination was not reported to have received injuries.

The names of the victims have not yet been released.

The crash is being investigated by the California Highway Patrol. Alcohol or drugs are not suspected to be a factor.