On Tuesday evening, a routine operation for a tow truck operator turned perilous on SR 18 near Weyerhaeuser Way. The Washington State Patrol reported the incident after witnesses called 9-1-1, describing how a vehicle abruptly veered onto the shoulder and slammed into the tow truck driver attending to a task. The driver responsible was later identified as John A. Hooven, a 58-year-old resident of Federal Way.
According to details released by the WSP, Hooven's 2019 Hyundai Sonata exhibited "extreme lane travel" before the collision, hinting at impaired driving. Tragically engaged in loading a vehicle, the victim was struck while working on the shoulder. After the collision, Hooven attempted to flee the scene on foot, abandoning the compromised scene and the injured operator.
However, efforts to escape were thwarted by air support from the Washington State Patrol, which happened to be close. A video released by the patrol captures the ensuing chase, which concludes with Hooven’s arrest. He now faces charges for suspected DUI, Hit and Run, and Vehicular Assault.
Witness accounts and the swift response of the Washington State Patrol were crucial in apprehending Hooven, yet the incident raised questions about the dangers tow truck operators routinely face. Despite the emergency lights that warned of his presence, vehicles around him continued their passage, one carrying Hooven, unmindful of the man at work. This accident serves as a critical reminder of the vulnerabilities roadside workers face and the grim consequences of impaired driving.
