Memorial for GT Towing Driver Killed on I-5

Saturday, October 9th William “Tony” Padilla of GT Towing will be remembered as a 20 year veteran of the industry and a dedicated service provider. Many have referred to Tony as a “big teddy bear”. A memorial service and tow truck procession have been scheduled in his honor.

Tow trucks, emergency vehicles, and other attendees are asked to arrive in Bellevue at  the Eastgate Park and Ride in located at 14200 Eastgate Way between 1:30pm and 2:00pm. The procession will travel westbound across I-90 and conclude at 2960 4th Ave South in Seattle at the Pacific Industrial Center where a memorial service will be held.

Tony was killed in the line of duty last Friday while performing his duty on a routine call when an SUV suddenly crossed five lanes of traffic on Interstate 5 and crushed the unsuspecting tow truck driver. When the heavily intoxicated driver of the SUV fled the scene, the Washington State Patrol reacted immediately, calling for aid and pursuing the two criminals. WSP later caught up with the heavily damaged SUV and arrested both the driver and the passenger who both had existing warrants and past criminal history.

The tragic death of the GT driver has weighed heavily on surrounding tow truck operators as they come to terms with the extreme dangers associated with working on the highways. In this particular case, Tony appeared to be well protected as his lane was blocked by WSP patrol cars, DOT trucks, and traffic cones. Even Washington’s “Move Over Law”, amended this year to help protect emergency crews on the highway, proved to be a minimal amount of protection for Tony. The fatal attack came from the side while barreling down the freeway at more than 60 miles per hour and crashed into the emergency scene while Tony was kneeling down to hook up the wheels of the disabled vehicle.

As emergency scene workers struggle to provide effective means of protection for themselves along the highways, some organizations have been formed to attack the root of the problem in keeping dangerous drivers off the road. Target Zero was formed in 1998 to end traffic deaths on Washington State roadways. The organization uses education, enforcement, engineering, and emergency medical services to achieve its goal of ending traffic deaths in Washington State and emphasizes the importance of protecting public safety workers while on scene of emergencies. The Washington Traffic Safety Commission has stated that the Target Zero Progam has made significant progress in reducing the number of statewide highway deaths. However, an article promoting Lowest Fatality Rate on Washington’s Roads in History was published one day prior to Tony’s accident on I-5.

For tow truck drivers, dangers are everywhere. John Halberg, owner of GT Towing experienced some of the extreme dangers of towing on the Interstate first hand just two days before his own employee was fatally struck. Tuesday, Sept 21st Halberg was loading a disabled semi truck on I-5 while another truck driver was pulling out into traffic from the shoulder of the freeway. The truck pulling into traffic was hit from behing by a fuel tanker, which caused John to run for safety. The ensuing wreck was so devastating, it shut down the freeway for 12 hours and John narrowly escaped with his life.

The Towing & Recovery Association of Washington is one  of many organizations which has played an active role in educating tow truck operators on highway safety as well as safe towing practices. The association has actively sought to help GT Towing as they attempt to cope with the loss of life. Tow operators across the nation have a common bond and have a history of coming together to support each other during times of significant loss.

The International Towing & Recovery Museum & Hall of Fame dedicated the Wall of the Fallen in 2006 to honor those who have died in the line of service and to generate public awareness of the dangers involved in the towing and recovery industry. The museum also instituted The Survivor Fund to offer monetary assistance to families left behind after the loss of a tow truck driver. Soon, Tony’s name will be added to the wall where he will join his fellow tow truck operators whose lives ended unexpectedly while performing their duty.

Saturday’s memorial will be a brief opportunity for attendees to share a few memories of Tony, but his name will live on as a lifelong service provider who paid the ultimate price for helping others in need. Tony was well known among tow providers in King County, having worked for several in the Seattle area. Many have expressed their anger toward the irresponsible driver who caused the wreck. Some of the ensuing rage has been calmed since learning of the vehicular homicide charges recently filed against the woman, but nothing will ever seem to right the wrong that has been done. For now, it is a time for mourning. For now, it’s time to support the Padilla family and our brothers at GT Towing.