Iowa tow truck operator Joshua Villa was struck and killed by a semi-truck on November 12, 2023 on I-80 westbound at mile marker 130 near Urbandale, Iowa while exiting his tow vehicle on the outside shoulder, with the Iowa Department of Public Safety confirming the semi did not move over or slow down, according to Iowa DPS. The fatality became one of Iowa's signature 2023 examples in its Move Over awareness campaign.
Operator takeaway
Exiting the cab of the tow truck is the second-highest exposure moment after hooking up. Coach your drivers to step out facing the moving lane so they see what is coming before they leave the shield of the cab.