Tow Truck Procession Honors New Jersey Tow Operator

On March 4, a tow truck procession honored Robert Thornton, 31, an EMS volunteer with the Moonachie First Aid and Rescue Squad and tow operator for Nick’s Towing Service of Rutherford, NJ.

Thornton was responding to an accident on the westbound lanes of Route 3 on Feb. 12 when he was struck at approximately 10:30 p.m. by an out-of-control vehicle as he loaded the second of two damaged vehicles onto his flatbed.

The vehicle that struck Thornton reportedly plowed through emergency vehicles on the scene, narrowly avoiding police and others at the scene before hitting the vehicle Thornton was working on.

Thornton was hospitalized in critical condition. Two other motorists involved in the initial accident were also hospitalized.

Thornton was removed from life support following a flag-raising ceremony on Feb. 27, and his organs were harvested.

The tow truck procession was led and assisted by police and first responder vehicles.