Industry News

The Cuyahoga County Ohio’s prosecutor’s office has stated that the man who caused a March 18 crash that resulted in Ohio tow operator Ron Urbansky, 53, to lose part of his leg has pleaded guilty to multiple charges. Roy Hollingsworth, 35, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular assault, two counts of driving while under the influence and drug…

Jerr-Dan Corporation, an Oshkosh Corporation company (NYSE:OSK) and single brand leader in the towing and recovery business, has promoted Heath Fassnacht to Director of Sales. He had been District Sales Manager for the southern region. Fassnacht started his career in 1996 with Atlanta Wrecker and Carrier Sales, now known as Atlanta Wrecker Sales. Following a…

The International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum (ITRHFM) added 28 new names to the Wall of the Fallen during its recent annual ceremony honoring towing and road service operators who have died in the line of service. The names include those from previous years as the details of fatalities become known. In all,…

A benefit for Wisconsin tow operator Joe Altenhofen, 56, is planned for Friday, Nov. 1. Altenhofen’s truck was hit by an out-of-control tractor-trailer on August 26 as he was loading a vehicle onto his tow truck on I-41/94. The horrific crash was videotaped and circulated widely by numerous news outlets. Altenhofen recovering from the crash, with…

Houston police have identified a person of interest in the murder of tow operator Augustin Martinez, 48, who was shot following a verbal altercation on Wednesday, Oct. 23. Martinez was able to take a photo of the two suspected assailants prior to the shooting. The suspects, riding in a red 2004 Ford Explorer with Texas license…

Talbert Manufacturing welcomes David Henderson as dealer development manager. With the expansion of their Liberty, N. C., facility earlier this year, Talbert Manufacturing created the position to support their dealer network. Henderson works with dealers and Talbert’s regional sales managers to develop and grow the company’s recognition across the United States and Canada. “Talbert Manufacturing…

A coalition of 31 trucking and trade groups is urging Congress to halt four bills it claims would cost the industry billions of dollars in “burdensome” unfunded mandates. The coalition sent a letter on Sept. 16 to Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), chairman, and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), ranking member of the Committee on Commerce, Science…

A tow operator was shot and killed on Oct. 23, by two suspects after a verbal altercation in Houston, Texas. The operator, Augustin Martinez, 48, was reportedly giving a customer a ride when he encountered the suspects at an apartment complex. During the altercation the suspects, who were driving a red Ford Explorer, began firing…

Malik Dosouqi, who has been charged in the murder of tow truck operator John Sione Pekipaki, 31, and taxi driver Abdulmalek Nasher, 32, near Woodside, Calif., in June has been declared mentally incompetent to stand trial. Two court appointed doctors made the declaration after a San Mateo County judge ordered an evaluation of Dosouqi, of Pacifica,…